Holi and safety

Spread the colors of health on this festive season

Holi is an Indian festival of colors and love. It has been celebrated in Indian Subcontinent which signifies the victory of good over evil, end of winter, the arrival of spring and harvest, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.

Color and variety are synonyms with Indian culture, beliefs, and way of life. It is the festival of emotions, prosperity, peace, and happiness. The bright colors and powder called ‘Gulal’ are applied to the face of every men, women, children, neighbor, relative, and hearts. It cuts across all classes, castes, and religions and brings people together.

Everyone is painted in the hues of colors like blues, yellows, greens, reds, violets, pinks, and more. Each color has the significance, religious or otherwise. Each color symbolizes a force in life, and thus color and life are inseparable.

  • Red is a mark of blissful matrimony
  • Yellow, symbolizing turmeric, for its medicinal use
  • Blue is the color of gods and spirituality
  • Green symbolizes new beginnings, harvest, and fertility
  • Saffron is the color of piety and strength

Traditionally, the colors were obtained from natural flowers after drying and grinding to fine powder.  Nowadays, the Holi celebrations revolve around some chemical colors which are the cheaper alternative to herbal pigments. Most of the colors have an alkaline base and if splashed into eyes can cause temporary blindness and corneal abrasions.

Brighter, synthetic toxic chemical colors and dyes are often used. These may cause;

  1. Severe skin infection like irritation, dermatitis, burning, and redness
  2. Eye injuries
  3. Hair problems
  4. Allergy risk
  5. May trigger asthma

Holi-full Tips

  1. Use organic and natural made colors, if possible. As they don’t contain chemicals, considered as safe for skin. Don’t use shampoos or soaps to get rid of colors. Use of lemon or gram flour or floor powder is better for your skin.
  2. We use water balloons and throw them at a person with force. It can cause injuries to the eyes. Avoid using it or use with caution. Pichkari should be preferred.
  3. Wear Goggles and hats to avoid eyes and hair infection.
  4. Cotton clothes should be used while playing colors. Wear full-sleeved shirts and long pants to cover maximum body and colors may not reach to the sensitive parts.
  5. Apply some skin care creams or moisturizers before getting out of the home.
  6. Apply hair oil for the safety of hairs. Applying coconut oil on the whole body is considered safe.
  7. Artificial dry colors may trigger asthma attacks. Avoid them as they may cause breathing problem. Wear a mask or a scarf and carry your inhaler with you.
  8. It might be possible that you might ingest some color powder unknowingly. It may cause poisoning. Notice it while playing with friends. Also, wash your hands every time before eating the food.
  9. Drink enough water. It needs continuous energy to play Holi. You may get dehydrated.
  10. In this season, we generally read the news of adulterated food in the market. Make sure the safety in this regard.
  11. Avoid the use of alcohol or bhaang. Monitor your behavior.
  12. Parents must consider all above-mentioned safety points for their child during Holi.

Life is full of colors,

May this HOLI festival,

Adds more colors to your life,

And you enjoy them at their brightest shade.

I wish you that even after HOLI, these colors make your world beautiful.

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