Wednesday, 08 November 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Deepawali and the onset of winter bring joy but they have the potential to cause problems for individuals, particularly children, with respiratory disorders. Experts emphasised that children suffering from asthma should take necessary precautions during Deepawali. Skin allergies, burn allergies, cough and cold among children tend to increase during this time. Wearing a mask would be a preferable measure to protect children from the pollution caused by fireworks, said the experts.
Dwelling on the issue, paediatrician Dr Apoorv Jain said, “The pollution resulting from fireworks during Deepawali has a negative impact on children’s health. Asthma cases tend to increase among children during Deepawali due to the pollution. Additionally, burning firecrackers during Deepawali can physically harm children by causing burn injuries. So, parents should prioritise the safety of their children during Deepawali, particularly those between the ages of five and 15 years.”
He further said that parents should ensure the safety of their children, especially if the children are pre-asthmatic, by making them wear masks while burning crackers. Further, children should limit their burning of crackers during Deepawali, he added.
Talking to The Pioneer, Dehradun based paediatrician Dr PS Rawat said that mechanical injuries, such as hand, eye and face injuries, are common issues faced by many children during this festive season. “The pollution caused by Deepawali also has a negative impact on children’s health, leading to problems like blocked nose, asthma and skin issues. Eye injuries from crackers can have long-term effects, potentially affecting a child’s academic life. To prevent such injuries, it is advisable for children to avoid burning explosive crackers and to be cautious and maintaining a safe distance while burning crackers. Asthmatic children in particular should prioritise wearing masks to protect themselves from the pollution caused by Deepawali crackers.”
