Colourful kites filling up the sky on Uttarayan is a mesmerizing sight. And this festivity is best cherished with goodies like undhiyu, jalebi, sugarcane, chikkis et al. This is that time of the year when celebrations ring in the air and happiness touches every heart. But in spite of all the happiness, there can be certain incidents that can mar your fun-filled day. Flying a kite is so much fun you might be tempted to risk it when it is not safe. Don’t! The danger is often very great to you and other people.

It includes accidents, cuts, shoulder and neck sprain, eye-damage, skin tans and the list is endless. Most of the injuries sustained during kite flying include falls, cuts, electrocution or head and neck injuries. Kite string can lead to injury to head and neck of bystanders including pedestrians and two-wheeler riders. Injury to neck is important as neck is not protected by bony skeleton and is vulnerable to penetrating trauma by kite. The severity of injury depends on the abrasive material placed on the string as well as the on the speed of the two wheeler as well as on the speed of kite. Preventive measures including choosing a safe location away from road traffic, electrical cables and airport along with public awareness is indispensable to address this problem. Owing to the unique mode of injury and scanty literature available over this mode of injury, we thought to write an article about taking care of you and surrounding during this festival of happiness.

1.Kite flying is a tiring sport, which you realize only after the festival is over. Flying kite high can take quite a lot effort your arm and shoulder, especially when wind is not in your favor. This can lead to injuries like shoulder Bursitis and   Aching Muscles. Doing regular shoulder stretching a week before the festival can help the shoulder take the extra pressure on the day of Uttarayan.
 

2. For the kite-flyer and the onlookers, while they look above in the sky for the longest time, while their kite is up in the air, it can lead to neck sprain and elbow pain. This is the most common pain observed during the kite-flying festival and it is best advised to continuously move your neck in different direction to prevent it from getting stiffened.
    
3. Kids often get lost in the fever of kite flying and kite-looting that they lose sense of their surroundings, which often leads to falls and fractures. It is best advised to make your kids aware about the safety rules and keep them under watch all the time, while they are on the roof. Also, if ever you come across such incident of fall, it is advised to follow RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevate) technique to relieve them from pain till the time you visit a specialist.

Some other safety rules that you yourself and people around you would like to know:

1. Never fly kites near power lines. This is the number one danger to which kite-flyers are exposed. Do not fly the kite close to the lines or poles even though you are far away. When the string is dry, it should not transmit electricity, but do not risk it anyway. If it becomes tangled in the power lines, you will lose the kite. Never try to recover it. Kites are cheap. You are not.
2. Avoid consuming readymade food. It’s better to have homemade undhiyu, jalebi or chikki. Avoid fried farsaans like fafda as they are bad for throat (most people are known to shout at the top of their voices while flying kites). Have hot drinks like tea or coffee which won’t lead to sore throat.
3. Never use anything but cotton string to fly a kite. Any kind of wire or string with metallic content will transmit electricity. You don’t want to be a receptor of lightning.
4. Keep your kite far from roads and highways. Even a small kite diving at a car may startle a driver and cause a wreck.
5. If you have a large kite with a lot of lift or a strong wind, wear gloves. The string can cut your fingers and cause infections. Cotton gloves are cheap and handy.
6. Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration. If you want to and to energize yourself and add to the sugar intake consume chikkis.
7. Choose a wider space for standing and flying kites. Life costs a lot more than anything else and don’t rush to catch kites or jump from one place to another to catch.

Summing Up

Remember precaution is better than cure. So, it’s better to enjoy the festival in a healthy and safe way. It is advisable to stay safe and stay protected on this festival. Follow essentials tips and take measures near you for happy and safe Uttarayan.