Essential Safety Measures for Seniors During Diwali Festivities

Introduction  

Diwali, the festival of lights, gives colour and occasions our houses every year. The joy of lighting lamps, bursting firecrackers, and having some delicious food creates a festive mood. Nevertheless, while having fun and enjoying the numerous bashs, it is important to ensure that elderly families are safe. The elderly are usually faced with some challenges during this festive season, mainly because of their age and health complications. Some precautions and special care should be taken towards the elders so they can also enjoy the festival without any stress.

Let’s focus on some useful senior care tips if you intend to celebrate Diwali joyfully with your loved ones.

Fire safety precautions:

The climax of Diwali is, however, the lighting of the diyas and candles and the bursting of firecrackers. Although the item gives a perception of positivism and affluence, it can be a threat to fire incidences if poorly managed. Sometimes the elderly and sometimes physically challenged might find it difficult to handle firecrackers or even move around lit diyas and candles, especially if they themselves have the same problems with their legs or eyes.

Safe placement of diyas and candles: Guarantee that diyas and candles will be put on a stand, table, or another level, on firm ground, and it must be ensured that it is quite far from curtain, furniture or any other material that catches fire easily.  

• Limit the use of firecrackers: Fireworks should mostly be viewed from a distance because of the elderly in society. 
• Supervision: Any senior citizen who wants to light diyas or be involved in anything that involves fire should always have a family member around them.

Fall prevention:  

During Diwali, people even reposition furniture and fixtures, decorate them with lights and hang certain things around the house. It can raise challenges that compromise the elderly because they might be mobility or balance impaired all through. Accidents are one of the biggest risks for older people, often resulting in a fall.

• Declutter the space: Make sure that all corridors and rooms are clear of wires, frippery, and anything else that might pose a trip hazard.  
• Non-lip rugs and mats: Incorporated wall mats or decorative rugs should have a non-slip surface at the back for the sake of safety measures.  
• Handrails and support: If your home has stairs, then this is a good time to install handrails or check on old and weak ones to strengthen them.  

Monitor diet and health:

Many Indians prefer to have exotic sweets, such as jalorian, tikka, narial, and other fried snacks, juicy curries, or hot and spicy meals during Diwali. Still, it can be unhealthy for seniors, especially those with diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, to take in too many sweet treats.

• Limit sweets and oily foods: Make sure that your elder type relatives can take sweets and fried foods without risking their lives. Suggest something more health-friendly, such as dry fruits or sugar-free candies, which are equally as fun and in tune with the festive season.
• Stay hydrated: The elderly are also likely to forget to take water as they enjoy the festival. Remind them to take a lot of water constantly if they take some types of medications that necessitate a lot of water intake.
• Regular medication and checkups: Try to make sure that senile patients do not forget to take their prescribed medications during the festival.  

Noise management:  

Diwali comes with loud noises due to fireworks, dancing, and merry-making. Interestingly, while loud noise would not necessarily pose a problem under different circumstances, for seniors who may have hearing issues or delicate health concerns, the noise proves to be nauseous.

• Noise-free zones: Adopt a calmer terrain in the house where the seniors can find sanctuary when the atmosphere becomes unbearably noisy. This space can include sofas, magazines and newspapers, and a breezy and relaxed environment.
• Use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones: Single-use earplugs or noise-reducing headphones should be used whenever the noise is a problem so that elderly persons can still be part of the celebrations without having to leave.

Respiratory health:  

In elderly patients with respiratory diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, any deterioration of air quality has an unfavourable effect on their health.

• Limit outdoor activities: This recommendation should be made to seniors living in the community, especially during the peak evening fireworks hours when the air pollution is worst.  
• Air purifiers: Air purification is another option which should be used to maintain good-quality indoor air. You can also include air-purifying plants in your air conditioning, such as aloe vera, spider plants, or peace lilies.
• Masks: If seniors want to go out, the mask they put on should be one capable of filtering out particles in the air. This is even more significant if they have other lung-related complications they are suffering from.

Conclusion

Diwali is a festival that people like to celebrate, but people should not forget about their aged parents or elderly family members. There is so much that we can do to guarantee that the elderly ones can enjoy the festive periods without threatening their lives. Care for the environment, care for their health and engage them for fun instead of pressuring them until they beg for mercy. That way, everyone, young and old, can have the best out of the festival of lights.