The National Fire Authority (NFA) is reminding the general public to be mindful of fire safety as we celebrate Diwali this year.

Diwali celebrations is a ‘Festival of Lights’ that will see an increase in the use of ‘diyas’, oil lamps, candles, fireworks, and a lot of electrical decorations. During your celebrations, please be aware of the dangers surrounding the use of all these different varieties of lights in your homes and surroundings.

NFA has attended to tragic home fires in the past during periods of such celebrations and it is important for homeowners to keep vigilant and ensure a joyful and fire-safe celebration.

 Some simple rules and key fire safety tips to keep your family safe during Diwali:

 Candles and Lamps

• Always place candles firmly in a proper holder or on a heat resistant surface to avoid candles falling over and burning nearby flammable material
• Put out candles before you leave a room and before going to bed
• Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets
• Keep candles away from ribbons, greetings cards, and other decorations
• Keep candles away from curtains, fabrics, or furniture, which could catch fire
• Ensure that Diwali lamps are not placed near any flammable material like wood, cloth or paper.

 Cooking

With extra cooking going on in homes, there is an increased risk of cooking-related fires.

• Never leave cooking unattended. Stay in the kitchen until your cooking is done.
• Keep stoves and grills free from grease and fat build-up.
• Keep stoves away from towels and curtains.
• Keep children away from cooking areas.
• While cooking outdoor, keep firewood neatly stacked away from the fireplace
• Never underestimate firewood embers. Put them out completely after use. It only takes a slight breeze to fan it alight.

Fireworks safety tips:

If you are thinking of using fireworks as part of your celebrations, please follow the fireworks code relating to its use.

• Store firecrackers away from sources of fire or ignition and away from the reach of children.
• Read the instructions and follow all safety precautions recommended for the use of fireworks.
• Light crackers in open spaces.
• Stand at an arm’s length of a firecracker before lighting.
• Discard used fireworks in a bucket of water to avoid people from stepping on them and hurting their feet
• Keep buckets of water and blankets ready, in case a fire breaks out.
• If your clothes happen to catch fire, do not panic, stop and drop down on the ground and roll to the right and to the left to put out the fire.
• Don’t burn crackers in crowded, congested places, narrow lanes, near sources of fire or inside the house.
• Don’t let children burn firecrackers unattended. Keep a close eye on them.
• Don’t cover firecrackers with tin containers or glass bottles for extra sound effects.
• Decorative lights and electric lights should never be tied to any metal poles as any current leak can energize the pole and given an electric shock to anyone who touches the pole.
• Most importantly, supervise your children at all times when using firecrackers.

 Fire incidents can happen at any time, but it can always be avoided if the necessary preventative measures are taken.

 The National Fire Authority wishes everyone a joyful and Fire Safe Diwali.

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