Date:29/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/29/stories/2008102957920300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Children suffer most injuries during this Deepavali

Vidya Venkat

However, the number of cases is less than last year, says hospital official

PHOTO: S.R.Raghunathan

Hazardous: Bystanders on roads are vulnerable to firecracker injuries, especially children who love to take a closer look at things. —

CHENNAI: Of the hundred odd accidents due to bursting of firecrackers in the city since Saturday night, most of the victims were children in the 8-15 age group, according to information available with several government hospitals.

There were also two cases of alleged suicide by children in protest against their parents not buying them crackers and gifts. While one of the victims, a 13-year-old girl from a north Chennai locality succumbed to the injuries, the 14-year-old boy from Saidapet who set himself ablaze is battling for life at Government Kilpauk Hospital.

K.Vasantha, Deputy Superintendent, Government Eye Hospital, Egmore, said of the 60 people admitted on Monday, 50 were children. The injured children had abrasion in their cornea and eyeball, she said. Three children suffered injuries in both eyes. “In most of the incidents, it was the bystanders who suffered injuries,” she said.

S.R.Vijayalakshmi, head of Burns ward at the Government Kilpauk Hospital, said compared to 42 injuries last year, 16 such cases were reported this year.

“An increased awareness among users and lesser quantity of crackers being burnt could be the reason,” she said. She added that most injuries happened due to lighting of firecracker powder that failed to burn the first time.

Sources in the Government Royapettah Hospital said the hospital received 12 cases of injury and the victims were children below 12 years. Most of the accidents happened when the children continued to hold the firecracker after lighting it. Some accidents occurred when the children bent to check if the firecracker was lit properly, doctors said.

Mohan Rajan, Medical Director, Rajan Eye Clinic, said the hospital received 16 cases of eye injuries, most of which were children. Most children suffered corneal abrasions while bursting bombs. In three cases, there was injury inside the eye requiring surgery.

City doctors warned that children should not burst firecrackers without the supervision of adults and ensure enough open space where they are being burst.