Safety warning ahead of Diwali
As thousands of people prepare to celebrate Diwali next week, emergency workers are appealing to members of the public to be extra vigilant of their surroundings when lighting fireworks.
ER24 paramedics say from the beginning of the Diwali celebrations which see many fireworks lighting up the sky to New Year festivities, cases of injuries caused by fireworks become prevalent.
The SPCA's Lindsey Fogarty says they too deal with more reports of runaway animals during the same period.
She has shared some advice with pet owners.
''Things like keeping your pets indoors, preferably in a familiar room, with curtains and windows closed - having the TV or radio on also helps to mask the noise.
''And then the best thing you can do for them is to give them herbal calming medication but that needs to be started for best effects about a week before you're expecting the fireworks,'' she said.
(File photo: Gallo Images)