Fire & Emergency Services J&K issues Diwali Safety Advisory

• Urges public to follow Fire Prevention Guidelines

JAMMU: The Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services Jammu & Kashmir has issued a detailed fire safety advisory for the general public ahead of Diwali, urging citizens to celebrate the festival of lights in a safe and responsible manner by strictly adhering to prescribed fire prevention measures.

The advisory highlights that careless handling of firecrackers, diyas, candles and electrical decorations may lead to fire incidents and other untoward occurrences, posing a threat to human life and property.

As part of the safety guidelines, the public has been advised to purchase firecrackers only from licensed and authorised vendors and ensure that the crackers are properly packaged, labelled and carry the manufacturer's details and safety instructions. People have been urged to use only legally permitted firecrackers and burst them exclusively in open and designated spaces, maintaining a safe distance from residential buildings, vehicles, shops and other combustible materials.

The Directorate has further advised people to keep buckets filled with water or sand and suitable fire extinguishers readily available at celebration venues. Firecrackers should be placed on stable and flat surfaces, while children must use them only under the close supervision of responsible adults. Children, elderly persons and pets should be kept at a safe distance from bursting areas.

For personal safety, citizens have been advised to wear cotton clothes and closed footwear while bursting firecrackers and avoid loose, flowing and synthetic garments. Diyas and candles should be placed on stable, non-combustible surfaces, away from curtains, decorations, exposed electrical wires and other combustible materials.

Emphasising electrical safety, the advisory calls for using good-quality and properly insulated decorative lights, extension boards and temporary wiring. People have been cautioned against overloading electrical sockets and advised to switch off decorative lights and other unnecessary electrical appliances before going to bed or leaving their premises. LPG cylinders, cooking appliances and other sources of ignition should also be kept away from firecrackers and decorative materials.

The Directorate has also issued specific precautions under the 'Dos and Don'ts' guidelines, advising people not to purchase or use illegal, unlabelled or unauthorised firecrackers, hold crackers in their hands while lighting them, or burst them in crowded places, narrow lanes, balconies, rooftops, indoors or enclosed spaces.

Citizens have been strictly advised against bursting crackers near hospitals, schools, religious places, petrol pumps, LPG storage areas and other sensitive establishments. They should never attempt to relight failed or unexploded firecrackers or approach, touch or fiddle with them. Such crackers should be kept away from people and dealt with safely.

The advisory further cautions against throwing firecrackers towards people, animals, vehicles or buildings, leaving burning diyas, candles or incense sticks unattended, using damaged electrical wires or overloaded extension boards and smoking or using open flames near firecrackers or their storage areas.

The public has also been advised to dispose of used firecrackers only after ensuring that they are completely extinguished and never throw partially burnt or unexploded crackers into dustbins or near combustible waste. In case of any fire incident, people have been urged to immediately alert the Fire & Emergency Services for timely assistance.