SRINAGAR, Nov 7 (Agencies) : Ahead of Diwali celebrations, the Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services, Jammu and Kashmir, has issued a detailed safety advisory for firecracker sale stalls, urging stall owners to strictly adhere to fire safety norms and precautionary measures to prevent fire incidents and other emergencies.
The advisory, issued by Director Fire & Emergency Services, J&K, Alok Kumar (IPS), directs that firecracker stalls shall be established only at designated locations after obtaining valid licences and necessary permissions from the competent authorities.
As per the advisory, cracker stalls must be located in open spaces and maintained at a safe distance from residential buildings, markets, petrol pumps, LPG installations, electrical substations and other vulnerable establishments.
The department has also stressed maintaining adequate distance between consecutive stalls, proper ventilation and sufficient open space around each stall. Firecrackers must be stored and displayed only in permitted quantities, in approved storage arrangements and away from heat, sparks and other sources of ignition.
Every stall has been directed to keep suitable and functional fire extinguishers of the prescribed type and capacity, along with buckets filled with dry sand. The advisory further prohibits unsafe electrical connections and directs that all lighting arrangements and wiring must be properly insulated and installed by competent persons.
Strict restrictions have also been imposed on smoking, cooking, use of open flames and any other ignition-producing activities in and around cracker sale areas.
The department has instructed stall owners to maintain clear access roads and passages for the movement of Fire & Emergency Services vehicles, ensuring that no stall or material obstructs emergency operations.
Furthermore, emergency contact numbers, including the Fire & Emergency Services toll-free number 101, along with details of the nearest fire station, police station and hospital, must be prominently displayed at every stall.
The advisory also directs stall owners to brief their staff about basic fire safety, emergency response, the operation of fire extinguishers and evacuation procedures. Bursting firecrackers, conducting fireworks demonstrations or lighting explosive articles within and around sale areas has been strictly prohibited.
Customers must also be informed about the safe handling and use of firecrackers and advised to follow manufacturers’ instructions.
The Directorate has urged all stall owners to strictly comply with licensing conditions, statutory provisions and fire safety recommendations to ensure safe and incident-free Diwali celebrations across Jammu and Kashmir.