Pune doctors issue advisory: ‘Awareness campaigns helped, cracker-related injuries fewer’

350 NOC applications received from firecracker stall owners, 195 approved (File)

City doctors claimed that the number of patients with burn injuries during Diwali have seen a significant decline over the years. Dr Dasmit Singh, a paediatrician, recalled that till a few years ago he used to treat at least 10 patients with burn injuries during Diwali. The number has dipped to one or two now, he added.

Dr Avinash Bhondwe, former president of the city unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), said so far this year he has not treated a single patient with burn injuries. “Diwali had been synonymous with fire crackers, but over the years, the series of awareness campaigns conducted at schools have definitely made an impact. It is only on days like Laxmi Pujan and Padwa that we get a few of such cases,” Bhondwe said.

Meena Mehta, a teacher at the Indrayani International School at Ambegaon Bk, said several awareness campaigns have been successful and children know the effects of pollution. Ahead of all festivals, students are told to adopt good practices, such as not wasting water during Holi and avoiding bursting noisy firecrackers during Diwali, she added. Prashant Ranpise, chief of the Fire Brigade Department at the Pune Municipal Corporation, said last year they had received only 17 fire calls during Diwali. Besides, as against the 7-800 applications from stall owners, seeking No Objection Certificates (NOB) to sell firecrackers, this year we have received only 350, of which the NOC has been given to 195.

Ranpise said, “However, to avoid any untoward incident, as many as 490 fire brigade personnel will be on duty between October 19, 20 and 21.” Meanwhile, doctors have also issued advisories, asking people to avoid wearing loose clothes and inflammable fabrics, such as nylon and polyester. Dr M Lakhe, consultant, Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Columbia Asia Hospital, said a common mistake is to try to re-light a dud cracker. All firecrackers-related accidents are a result of carelessness, negligence and ignorance, he added.