Lighting crackers in a Lucknow apartment society

More of our customers now live in apartment societies in Gomti Nagar, Aliganj and on Sultanpur Road than in old houses with courtyards. Crackers in a society need a little more planning, because two hundred families share the same open space.

First, find out what your society has decided. Most residents’ associations fix a common area and a time window for Diwali night, often a basketball court, a parking lot or an open lawn, between about 7 pm and 10 pm. Follow it, even if your own balcony seems more convenient. Never light anything on a balcony, terrace edge or in a stairwell. Sparks travel upwards and sideways, and dry clothes and plants on the floors above catch easily.

Second, choose your items for the space. In a shared courtyard, flower pots, ground chakkars and sparklers work well, because they stay on the ground and need only a few metres. Sky shots and rockets need open sky with no buildings within about 25 metres, which most society courtyards do not have. If your society has a large open ground, agree with neighbours to light aerial items there, one at a time.

Third, think of others. Elderly residents, babies and pets suffer most from loud bursts. Many societies in Lucknow now keep loud items to a fixed half hour. Keep a bucket of water and one of sand at the lighting spot, and sweep it the next morning. Your neighbours will thank you on Bhai Dooj.