New Delhi: Got a slight burn while bursting crackers this Diwali? Don't panic and don't try home remedies. Help is now just a phone call away.

A senior consultant cosmetic surgeon in the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital Anup Dhir has launched a 24-hour helpline to provide ready and quick tips on how to treat burn injuries during the festival of lights.

The helpline will be functional from October 23 and will be operational till October 30, reports IANS. Diwali is on October 28.

"A small tip can help ease the person's pain. I am not treating but advising them what should be done and what should be avoided if one gets burns," Dhir said.

The most important thing regarding burn injuries is that 95 per cent of them are accidental and can be prevented with care and precautions. People try their own home remedies which wouldn't help. One needs professional help, Dhir said.

"People don't know how and in which situation to pour water. I will simply guide them and then they could go to their nearest hospital. People panic and act foolishly, which worsens the situation. Some people even apply toothpaste. It is not the solution," he said.

Dhir said statistics show that 38 per cent of injuries involve hands and fingers and 19 per cent eyes.

Forty per cent of those who suffered such injuries are children below the age of 14, and it is mostly boys in the age group of 10 to 14, the expert said.

He suggested that firecrackers should be lit in an open area and a bucket of water should always be kept nearby.