Bengaluru: With just one day to go for Diwali, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B. Dayanand has announced crucial guidelines to ensure residents’ safe and eco-friendly celebrations. Each year, the city reports between 150 to 200 incidents related to firecrackers, leading the Commissioner to emphasise the importance of responsible behavior and necessary precautions during the festivities.
In an effort to address environmental concerns, Commissioner Dayanand has urged citizens to opt for green, eco-friendly firecrackers. “Our goal is to celebrate a safe Diwali while being considerate of our environment and community,” he stated.
During the press briefing, the Commissioner shared essential guidelines for a safe and eco-friendly Deepawali festival across Bengaluru. The guidelines include purchasing green crackers and verifying their authenticity via QR codes on the packaging, limiting high-intensity… pic.twitter.com/jqIFQszRdj
— ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ನಗರ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ BengaluruCityPolice (@BlrCityPolice) October 29, 2024
Safety of children & animal among the key priorities
The guidelines prioritise the safety of children, advising parents to closely supervise their kids and prevent them from handling firecrackers. The Commissioner also prohibited the use of firecrackers in crowded areas, highlighting the need for public safety. Additionally, he reminded residents to be mindful of animals, which can become distressed from loud noises. In accordance with Supreme Court regulations, firecrackers may only be set off between 8 PM and 10 PM.
Cleanliness is another focus, with residents urged to clean up after using firecrackers to maintain tidy public spaces. To accommodate the anticipated increase in demand, the city has issued temporary licenses to vendors, establishing 315 stalls across 74 locations, all adhering to strict safety measures to prevent accidents.
Guidelines issued for firecrackers in Bengaluru
- Choose green firecrackers: Purchase eco-friendly firecrackers and verify their authenticity by scanning QR codes during transactions.
- Use licensed vendors: Firecrackers should only be bought from authorized sellers displaying their licenses to avoid unlicensed vendors.
- Limit noise and pollution: Avoid firecrackers that produce excessive noise or air pollution to protect both people and animals.
- Supervise children: Parents should closely monitor children to ensure they do not light firecrackers.
- Follow location and timing guidelines: Firecrackers should be used in open areas, away from hospitals, petrol stations, and residential neighborhoods, strictly within the hours set by the Supreme Court.
- Wear protective gear: It’s essential to use safety equipment like gloves and protective eyewear, and to keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby to prevent accidents.
- Report incidents immediately: In case of an accident, residents should promptly contact emergency services by dialing 112 or 108.
