Diwali is about lights, family and sweets. It's also a week when eye injuries from crackers are common. One spark, one thrown cracker or a handful of coloured powder can do real harm in a second.

The good news is that most of these injuries can be avoided. Here's how to enjoy the festival safely, how to protect your eyes from smoke and powder, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Why Diwali Is Hard on the Eyes

• Sparks and flying bits of burning material can hit your eye from some distance away.
• People standing nearby get hurt too, not just the one lighting the cracker.
• Children are curious, move fast and don't see the danger.
• Smoke and dust hang in the air and irritate eyes for days.
• Coloured powders and chemicals can get into eyes during rangoli and celebrations.

Firecracker Safety Basics

First Aid for an Eye Injury

What you do in the first few minutes matters, but the right steps depend on what happened. If you're not sure, cover the eye loosely and get help.

If something hit the eye (a spark, a piece of cracker or debris)

• Don't rub the eye. Rubbing can make the damage worse.
• Don't rinse the eye if something hit it, or you think it's cut or punctured.
• Don't press on the eye or try to pull out anything stuck in it.
• Don't put in drops, ointment or any home remedy.
• Protect the eye. Cover it loosely with a clean paper cup, or a rigid shield taped around the eye, without pressing on it.
• Go to a hospital or eye doctor at once. Don't wait to see if it improves.

If a chemical or powder got in the eye

• Rinse the eye with lots of clean running water for at least 15 minutes. Tilt your head so the water runs away from the other eye.
• Keep the eyelids open while you rinse.
• Don't rub.
• Take out contact lenses if you can do it easily while you rinse.
• Go to a hospital or eye doctor right away, even if the eye feels better.

Rangoli, Colours and Powders

Rangoli and festive colours look beautiful, but powders and dyes can irritate the eyes, and some contain chemicals. A few simple habits help.

• Wear a mask or cloth over your nose and mouth when you work with coloured powder, and keep it away from your face.
• Don't blow or toss powder near anyone's face.
• Teach children not to rub their eyes after touching colours, and keep their hands clean.
• Wash hands before touching your face or eyes.
• If powder gets in an eye, follow the rinse steps in the first aid section.

Smoke and Air Quality

The smoke from crackers hangs around long after Diwali, and many people feel it in their eyes first. Eyes turn red, watery, dry and burning. Our guides on Navratri and Dussehra eye care and dry eye syndrome say more about this.

• On very smoky days, stay indoors when you can and keep windows closed when the crackers are at their loudest.
• Wear glasses or sunglasses outdoors. They won't stop smoke, but they keep some dust and ash off your eyes.
• Wash your face with clean water when you come inside.
• Try not to rub your eyes.
• Drink enough water, and give your eyes a break from screens.
• If you wear contact lenses, think about switching to glasses on smoky days.

If your eyes are irritated by smoke

• Go indoors, close the windows and let your eyes rest.
• Splash cool, clean water on your closed eyes and face.
• Don't rub. It only makes things worse.
• Ask a doctor before using any eye drops.
• See a doctor if the redness, pain or blurry vision doesn't settle.

Diyas, Candles and Burn Safety

• Keep diyas and candles away from curtains, clothes and hair.
• Wear snug clothes while you light lamps and crackers, not loose sarees, dupattas or flowing sleeves.
• Keep children away from open flames and hot oil.
• Put diyas on a steady surface, and light them from the side instead of leaning over them.
• Keep a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher close by.

A Safe Diwali for Children

• An adult should always be in charge of crackers.
• Where you can, pick quieter, lower-risk crackers.
• Keep children well back from anything being lit.
• Hold sparklers at arm's length. They burn very hot.
• Teach children never to pick up a cracker that didn't go off.
• Tell them to come to you right away if anything gets in their eye, and not to rub it.

For more about children's eyes, see our guide on kids' first glasses and signs they need an eye test.

If You Wear Glasses or Contact Lenses

• Regular glasses can't replace safety goggles, but they can keep some dust and ash off your eyes.
• If you wear contact lenses and your eyes feel irritated, take them out and switch to glasses.
• Clean your glasses after being outside, since smoke and soot leave a film. Our lens care guide explains safe cleaning.
• If a spark or anything else hits your glasses, check the lenses and frame for damage before you wear them again.
• Keep a spare pair handy for festival week.

If your eyes turn red and sticky after the festival, it might not be smoke. Read our guide to pink eye (Madras eye).

Frequently Asked Questions

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