A helpline this Diwali to
help treat burns
New
Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) Got a slight burn while bursting crackers
this Diwali? Don't panic and don't try home remedies. Help
is now just a phone call away.
Known plastic surgeon Anup Dhir has launched a 24-hour helpline
to provide ready and quick tips on how to treat burn injuries
during the festival of lights.
The
helpline will be functional from Oct 23. Diwali is on Oct
28.
Dhir,
who is a senior consultant cosmetic surgeon in the Indraprastha
Apollo Hospital and has been running the helpline since 1998,
said people have no clue of how to tend to cracker burns.
"A
small tip can help ease the person's pain. I am not treating
but advising them what should be done and what should be avoided
if one gets burns," he added.
For
assistance, call 09312377554, he said. It will be functional
till Oct 30 and the doctor will pick up the phone himself.
"The
most important thing regarding burn injuries is that 95 percent
of them are accidental and can be prevented with care and
precautions. People try their own home remedies which wouldn't
help. One needs professional help," Dhir told IANS.
The
doctor said he started the concept 10 years ago after he saw
in the hospital that maximum number of patients after Diwali
were those who had burnt themselves while bursting crackers.
"People
don't know how and in which situation to pour water. I will
simply guide them and then they could go to their nearest
hospital. People panic and act foolishly, which worsens the
situation. Some people even apply toothpaste. It is not the
solution," he said.
He
said he gets dozens of phone calls before and after Diwali
and these peak on Diwali.
Dhir
said statistics show that 38 percent of injuries involve hands
and fingers and 19 percent eyes.
About
half of the injuries are burns, especially in the face, hand,
wrist or arm, he said. "Contusions and lacerations are
the next most common kind of injuries."
Forty
percent of those who suffered such injuries are children below
the age of 14, and it is mostly boys in the age group of 10
to 14, the expert said.
"Diwali
is the festival of lights and happiness and that is what it
should be. Playing with firecrackers, especially the big ones,
should be avoided," he advised.
He
suggested that firecrackers should be lit in an open area
and a bucket of water should always be kept nearby.
"The
best is to say no to firecrackers. This would surely mean
a happy and safe Diwali," Dhir said.
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