Burn First Aid During Diwali: What to Do in the First 20 Minutes

Even careful families sometimes face a burn at Diwali — usually a sparkler wire, a chakkar near a bare foot, or a spark on clothing. What you do in the first minutes matters most.

Step 1: Stop the burning

If clothing catches fire: stop, drop and roll, or smother the flames with a blanket. Move the person away from the crackers.

Step 2: Cool with running water — for 20 minutes

Hold the burn under cool (not ice-cold) clean running water for a full 20 minutes. This is the single most effective thing you can do; it limits how deep the burn goes. It feels long — set a timer.

Step 3: Remove rings and tight items

Gently remove rings, bangles, watches or tight clothing near the burn before swelling starts. Do not pull off anything stuck to the skin.

Step 4: Cover loosely

Cover with a clean, non-fluffy cloth or cling film laid loosely over the burn. Do not wrap tightly.

Never apply

• Ice or ice water
• Toothpaste, butter, ghee or oil
• Ink, turmeric or home remedies
• Cotton wool directly on the wound

These trap heat or introduce infection, and make it harder for doctors to treat.

Go to a hospital if

• The burn is larger than the person's palm.
• It is on the face, eyes, hands, feet, groin or a joint.
• The skin looks white, charred or leathery, or there is little pain (sign of a deep burn).
• The person is a young child or an elderly person.
• Anything has entered the eye — rinse with clean water and go straight to a doctor.

Keep this page handy on Diwali night, and read our full safety tips to prevent burns in the first place.