Purchase crackers from licensed vendors: Fire Dept issuess advisory for Diwali

The Himachal Pradesh Fire Services today issued an advisory about Do’s and Don’ts for fire safety during Diwali celebrations. People were advised to purchase firecrackers from licensed vendors and ensure that they purchase quality firecrackers that were legally approved to minimise the risk of accidents. Besides, people were advised to burst firecrackers in open spaces such as parks or large grounds and away from buildings, vehicles and flammable substances.

“A bucket full of water must be kept nearby in case of fire emergencies. Prefer wearing cotton garments to reduce the risk of fire-related injuries, as synthetic fabrics can catch fire easily. Always have adult supervising children while bursting crackers to ensure they follow safety measures. After bursting crackers, dispose of used ones in a bucket of water to prevent any leftover sparks from lighting. Avoid lighting multiple firecrackers together to prevent unexpected explosions. Stand at a safe distance from the firecrackers after lighting them to avoid injuries. Always light firecrackers while considering the wind direction to prevent them from blowing towards homes or people,” said a spokesperson for the Fire Department.

Additionally, the State Food Commission urged the public to remain vigilant about the quality and safety of food items, especially sweets, during the festive season.

The commission stated that consumers should ensure that all food products had proper packaging, clearly-mentioned expiry dates, manufacturer details, accurate weight and clearly-displayed prices before purchase.

Dr SP Katyal, Chairman of the commission, called upon the FSSAI, Milkfed, Civil Supplies Department, Food Inspectors and the local administrative bodies to enforce strict quality checks to ensure that the health of common people was not compromised.

He urged the Department of Health Safety and Regulation to maintain hygienic conditions during the preparation and handling of food items and sweets so that contamination was prevented at every stage. The commission stressed that food items and sweets imported from other states should undergo rigorous quality testing and monitoring to safeguard consumers, especially women and children, from potential health hazards during the festive season.