Deepavali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, and homes across Kurnool, Nandyal, Adoni, Yemmiganur and Dhone are already getting ready with diyas, sweets and crackers. Along with the joy, the festival week also brings a familiar risk: burns from sparklers, flowerpots, rockets, hot oil and lamps. Most small burns can be managed well at home if the right first aid is given in the first few minutes. Some burns need hospital care. This guide explains, in simple steps, what to do, what to avoid and when to go to the emergency department.
Quick answer: For a firecracker burn, move away from the heat, then hold the burnt area under cool (not ice-cold) running water for about 20 minutes. Remove rings, bangles and loose clothing near the burn, but do not pull off anything stuck to the skin. Cover the burn loosely with clean cling film or a clean, non-fluffy cloth. Do not apply ice, toothpaste, oil, ghee, butter, turmeric or other home pastes, and do not burst blisters. Go to hospital or call 108 for burns that are large, deep, on the face, hands, feet or genitals, caused by chemicals or electricity, or if there is smoke inhalation.
This article is general health information for families. It does not replace assessment by a doctor.
Why burns are common during Diwali
Crackers, sparklers and diyas all involve open flames and very hot materials. A sparkler can stay hot for some time after it stops glowing. Flowerpots and rockets sometimes misfire or burst close to the person lighting them. Loose clothing such as dupattas, sarees and lungis can catch fire. In the kitchen, festival cooking means more deep frying and larger pots of hot oil and water.
The World Health Organization's fact sheet on burns notes that children are particularly at risk of scalds, that burns can cause long-term scarring and disability, and that burns are preventable through safer environments and timely first aid. In other words, knowing what to do in the first few minutes really does matter.
Firecracker burns first aid: step by step
If someone is burnt by a cracker, sparkler, lamp or hot oil, stay calm and follow these steps:
- Make the area safe. Move the person away from the crackers or flames. If clothes are on fire, the person should stop, drop to the ground and roll, or you can smother the flames with a thick blanket or pour water on them.
- Cool the burn with running water. Hold the burnt area under cool, clean running tap water for about 20 minutes. Starting within three hours of the burn still helps, but sooner is better. If there is no tap, use cool water poured from a clean bucket or bottle.
- Keep the person warm. Cool only the burnt area, not the whole body. Children and older people can get cold quickly, so cover the rest of the body.
- Remove tight items early. Take off rings, bangles, watches, anklets and clothing near the burn before swelling starts. Do not pull off anything that is stuck to the skin.
- Cover the burn. Once cooled, lay clean cling film over the burn (do not wrap it tightly around a limb), or use a clean, non-fluffy cloth. Avoid cotton wool, which sticks to the wound.
- Ease the pain. Paracetamol may help with pain in most adults. Follow the dose on the pack, and check with a doctor or pharmacist for children, pregnant women and people with other illnesses.
- Decide whether hospital care is needed. Use the warning signs in the section below. If in doubt, get the burn checked.
Good to know: Cool running water for about 20 minutes is the step that the NHS guide to burns and scalds and the WHO both advise. It reduces pain and helps limit damage to the skin. Applying ice instead can further damage the skin.
What not to put on a burn
Many households have traditional remedies for burns. Some of them can trap heat, irritate the wound, raise the risk of infection or make it harder for doctors to see how deep the burn is. The WHO advises against applying ice, oils, butter, toothpaste, traditional pastes or other household substances to a burn.
| Common home remedy | Why it is not advised | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Ice or ice-cold water | Can damage the skin further and chill the person | Cool running tap water for about 20 minutes |
| Toothpaste | Traps heat and can irritate the wound | Cool water, then cover with cling film or a clean cloth |
| Oil, ghee, butter or coconut oil | Holds heat in the skin and may raise infection risk | Leave the burn clean; ask a doctor about suitable dressings |
| Turmeric, coffee powder, ink or other pastes | Can contaminate the wound and hide how deep it is | Cool, cover and get the burn checked if it is not small |
| Bursting blisters | Opens the skin to infection | Leave blisters intact and cover them loosely |
| Cotton wool or sticky plasters | Fibres and adhesive stick to the wound | Cling film laid loosely, or a clean non-fluffy cloth |
When to go to hospital for a burn
Small, superficial burns, such as a red, painful patch on a finger from a sparkler, can often be cared for at home and usually heal within about two weeks. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 108 if any of the following apply:
- The burn is large (bigger than the person's palm) or looks deep
- The burn is on the face, eyes, ears, hands, feet, joints or genitals
- The burn was caused by chemicals or electricity
- There is smoke inhalation, a hoarse voice, coughing, soot around the nose or mouth, or difficulty breathing
- The skin looks white, waxy, leathery, brown or charred, or the burn is not painful (this can mean a deep burn)
- The burnt person is a child, an older adult, pregnant, or has diabetes or another long-term illness
- There are signs of infection later, such as increasing redness, swelling, pus, a bad smell or fever
| How the burn looks | What it may mean | Suggested action |
|---|---|---|
| Red, painful, no blisters | Superficial burn | First aid at home; see a doctor if it is not healing |
| Red, very painful, with blisters | Partial-thickness burn | See a doctor, especially if larger than a palm or on hands, face or feet |
| White, waxy, leathery or charred, may not hurt | Possible deep (full-thickness) burn | Go to the emergency department or call 108 |
Important for families with diabetes: People with diabetes may have reduced feeling in their feet and hands, and wounds can heal more slowly. Even a small burn on the foot should be shown to a doctor early rather than watched at home.
Eye injuries from crackers
Crackers can throw sparks, dust and fragments into the eyes. If an eye is injured:
- Do not rub the eye or press on it
- If dust or powder has gone in, rinse gently with plenty of clean water
- Do not try to remove anything that is stuck in the eye; cover the eye loosely with a clean cup or shield and keep the head still
- Seek medical care the same day for any eye pain, blurred vision, bleeding, or if something has entered the eye
What happens at the hospital
At the emergency department, the team will check breathing first, especially if there was smoke or flames near the face. They will then assess the size and depth of the burn. Depending on the injury, treatment may include:
- Cleaning and dressing the burn
- Pain relief
- Fluids through a drip for larger burns
- A tetanus injection if the person's vaccination is not up to date
- Assessment of the eye by an eye specialist for cracker eye injuries
- Referral for surgical care for deep burns, which may include procedures to repair or cover the damaged skin
Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmology and Polytrauma are among the departments listed on the hospital's departments page.
Cracker safety checklist for Diwali
Most firecracker burns can be prevented with a few simple habits. Share this checklist with the family before the celebrations begin.
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Light crackers in an open space, away from vehicles, dry grass and hanging clothes | Lighting crackers indoors, on balconies or in narrow lanes |
| Keep a bucket of water and a bucket of sand nearby | Holding crackers in your hand while lighting them |
| Wear close-fitting cotton clothes and footwear | Loose dupattas, sarees, synthetic fabrics or bare feet near crackers |
| Use a long incense stick or agarbatti to light crackers, at arm's length | Bending over a cracker while lighting it |
| Let an adult supervise children at all times | Going back to a cracker that did not go off; douse it with water instead |
| Drop used sparklers into a bucket of water | Leaving hot sparkler wires on the ground where children walk |
| Keep diyas on stable surfaces, away from curtains and clothes | Leaving lamps burning unattended or near children's play area |
Smoke and breathing
Cracker smoke can make breathing harder for people with asthma, COPD or heart disease. Keep windows closed during peak cracker hours, keep regular inhalers and medicines within reach, and seek medical care if there is breathlessness, chest tightness or wheezing that does not settle with usual treatment.
Risks and limits to keep in mind
- Burns can look mild at first and appear deeper after a day or two. Check the wound daily and see a doctor if it is getting worse.
- Large burns can cause the body to lose fluid, which needs hospital care.
- Burns on the hands, face and joints can affect movement and appearance later, so early assessment matters.
- This guide covers common situations only. Follow the advice of the 108 team and the treating doctors.
Contact information
Vijaya ICU & Multi-Speciality Hospital, 2nd Floor, Revenue Colony, Nandyal Road, Kurnool 518002, Andhra Pradesh. Phone: +91 7842674920. The hospital is open 24 hours and provides emergency care. Directions and other contact details are on the hospital's contact page. In a medical emergency, you can also call 108 for an ambulance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first thing to do for a firecracker burn?
Move away from the heat and hold the burnt area under cool, clean running water for about 20 minutes. Then remove rings or bangles near the burn, cover it loosely with cling film or a clean cloth, and decide whether hospital care is needed.
Can I put toothpaste, ice or coconut oil on a burn?
No. The WHO advises against applying ice, oils, butter, toothpaste or traditional pastes to burns. They can trap heat, damage the skin or raise the risk of infection. Cool running water is the recommended first step.
Should I burst a burn blister?
No. Blisters protect the skin underneath. Leave them intact and cover them loosely. If a blister is large, very painful or bursts on its own, ask a doctor to dress it.
When does a burn need hospital treatment?
Go to hospital if the burn is larger than the person's palm, looks deep, white or charred, is on the face, eyes, hands, feet, joints or genitals, was caused by chemicals or electricity, or if there was smoke inhalation. Burns in children, older adults and people with diabetes should also be checked by a doctor.
What should I do if a cracker spark goes into the eye?
Do not rub the eye. Rinse gently with clean water if dust or powder went in, but do not try to remove anything stuck in the eye. Cover it loosely and seek medical care the same day.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general health information only and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a qualified doctor. Individual situations differ. If you or someone near you has warning signs or a medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency department or call 108.
Image credits: diwali-diya-oil-lamp-burn-safety.jpg: Wikimedia Commons, File:Diya Diwali India.jpg by Subharnab Majumdar, licence CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0); source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diya_Diwali_India.jpg; resized/cropped | burn-first-aid-do-and-avoid-chart.jpg: Original graphic created for the Vijaya ICU & Multi-Speciality Hospital website; no third-party rights; based on WHO and NHS burns first aid advice | flowerpot-firecracker-safety-distance.jpg: Wikimedia Commons, File:Firecracker Flowerpot.jpg by Swetha01, licence CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Firecracker_Flowerpot.jpg; resized/cropped | cool-running-tap-water-burn-first-aid.jpg: Wikimedia Commons, File:Water running from kitchen tap.jpg by Fourteenzerozero, licence CC0 (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en); source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_running_from_kitchen_tap.jpg; resized/cropped
