A study by a city hospital has indicated that 'kolgos' (flower pots) is the most dangerous Diwali fire cracker. Burn Care Foundation (BCF), a social unit of Nemcare Hospital, which has been engaged in burn prevention programmes, collected and analysed data on Diwali-related burns since 2010.
According to Dr Bhupendra Prasad Sarma, senior consultant surgeon, the injuries could be due to several factors like defective firecrackers, carelessness, etc. Fifty-seven others were caused by firecrackers, nine by earthen lamps and 19 by phuljharis (sparklers). Last year, the unit treated 46 patients, of which 34 received injuries while lighting kolgos.
“We enjoy lighting earthen lamps, candles and bursting crackers. Though definite data is still not available, on a crude estimate, 10 to 12 percent of burn injuries in India are Diwali-related burns. Burns of the hands, face and eyes are the common injuries during Diwali. Unfortunately, majority of the victims are children,” a note from the unit said.
(Source: The Assam Tribune)
