‘Anars cause 8 out of 10 burn cases during Diwali’

An independent study conducted by a private hospital shows that most burn cases during Diwali occur when bursting the flowerpot cracker, or ‘anar’. Eight out of every 10 burn cases during the festival of lights occur when bursting ‘anar’, reveals data collected for the last five years by the National Burns Centre, Airoli.

According to the data, the hospital treats around 25 children and 10 young persons during and after Diwali every year for burn wounds caused by noise and light-based crackers. The flowerpot crackers are followed by aerial rockets as the crackers that lead to most injuries, according to the data.

“We have compiled the data of the past five years, which revealed that every year, the majority of the burn injury cases during Diwali are caused by the explosion of ‘anar’,” said Dr Sunil Keswani, who is a cosmetic surgeon and head of National Burns Centre. “Eight out of every 10 such cases were caused by ‘anar’ firecracker. Simple precautions can help avoid such burns,” he said.

According to the data, a flower pot bursts early when lit and the colourful flame spreads rapidly, which can cause burns to a person standing close by, said Dr Sunil Keswani, who is a cosmetic surgeon and head of National Burns Centre. Most burn injuries are caused by crackers affecting hands, face and eyes, Dr Keswani said. “They are superficial and can be treated by dressing the wounds. But some burns are deep and require reconstructive surgery,” he said.

The data also shows that against the total demand, the skin available for grafting at the five skin banks in the state is only two to five per cent.