Is it safe to exercise outdoors in the days after Diwali?

It is best avoided when air quality is poor. The Union Health Ministry has advised against morning walks and jogging when the AQI is above 200. Post-Diwali pollution often peaks late at night and early in the morning, so indoor workouts are the safer choice until the air clears.

How long does post-Diwali smog usually last?

It depends largely on the weather. Wind and rain can clear the air within a day or two, while cold, calm conditions can trap pollutants for several days. This year, Delhi’s AQI was still in the very poor range on the morning of 10 November, two days after the festival, and smoke from crop residue burning in neighbouring states can keep air quality poor for longer.

Do green crackers make Diwali pollution harmless?

No. Green crackers are designed to release fewer pollutants than conventional ones, but they still produce smoke and fine particles. Health experts warn that heavy use, even of green crackers, can push air quality into the severe category in cities that are already polluted.

Who should be careful while wearing an N95 mask?

N95 masks make breathing slightly harder. Older adults, people with heart or lung disease and women in later pregnancy should stop using one if they feel uncomfortable and ask their doctor about a suitable option. Masks are generally not recommended for children below 2 years.

Can an air purifier fully protect my family from smog at home?

An air purifier with a HEPA filter can lower fine particle levels in a closed room, especially when it is sized correctly for the space. It works best alongside other steps such as keeping windows shut during peak hours and avoiding indoor smoke. It cannot make indoor air completely pollution-free.

Does health insurance cover hospitalisation for smog-related illnesses?

Policies do not usually treat pollution as a separate category. Instead, hospital treatment for the resulting illness, such as pneumonia, a severe asthma attack or a heart emergency, is generally covered under regular hospitalisation benefits once the initial waiting period is over. Sub-limits, exclusions and waiting periods vary between insurers and policies.

If I buy a health policy just before Diwali, will firecracker burn injuries be covered?

Accident-related hospitalisation, such as treatment for burns from firecrackers, is usually covered from the first day of the policy, subject to its terms. The 30-day initial waiting period mainly applies to illness claims, so a smog-related illness in the first month of a new policy would generally not be covered.

Will my policy cover asthma or COPD that I had before buying it?

If you declared the condition at purchase, it will be covered after the pre-existing disease waiting period, which IRDAI caps at 36 months. Some plans offer optional add-ons or special variants that shorten this to about 30 days, or even day one, for select conditions like asthma, often for an additional premium and subject to underwriting.

After the Fireworks: Diwali Smog Diseases and How to Protect Your Family

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After the Fireworks: Diwali Smog Diseases and How to Protect Your Family

This year’s Diwali gave Delhi its most polluted festival day since 2021. Here is what the smog is doing to adults and children, and the steps and health cover checks that help.

Written by

Jyotishma Nath

Read time : 5 minutes

Published on : November 10, 2026

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Looking for the right plan? You don't have to guess. Let us compare the fine print for you and give you an unbiased recommendation.

Diwali lit up homes across India on 8 November. The next morning, many parts of Delhi-NCR woke up to hazy skies, and quite a few people noticed throat and eye irritation.This guide covers what this year's air quality data showed, what doctors are seeing, and practical ways to protect your family's health and finances.

A Look at This Year's Diwali Air Quality

Here is what official monitors recorded.

7 November: Delhi's 24-hour average AQI was 369, in the very poor category.
8 November, Diwali: The 24-hour average AQI was 376, the highest for a Diwali day since 2021.
Diwali night: 20 of Delhi's 59 monitoring stations recorded severe air quality.
11 pm on Diwali: PM2.5 at Akshardham reached about 761 micrograms per cubic metre, compared with India's 24-hour safe limit of 60.
9 November: The city's AQI stayed above 370 through the morning, and the official daily bulletin recorded 344.

Reading the numbers: An AQI of 301 to 400 is very poor, and anything above 400 is severe. Delhi-NCR's Stage III pollution control measures have been in force since 6 November to help bring levels down.

What Makes Diwali Smog Different

Firecrackers release fine particles along with sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and metals such as lead and copper. In early winter, cool and calm nights keep these pollutants close to the ground for longer, while vehicle exhaust, dust and crop residue burning add to the mix.The pollutant doctors watch most closely is PM2.5, which means particles 2.5 micrometres wide or smaller. According to WHO, these particles can travel deep into the lungs and may even enter the bloodstream, which is why reducing exposure on high-AQI days makes a real difference.

What Doctors and Hospitals Are Seeing

NCR hospitals reported an almost 30 per cent rise in people visiting with breathing difficulties, according to a Business Standard report on 9 November.
Pulmonologists said the most common complaints were persistent cough, breathlessness, wheezing and throat irritation, along with flare-ups in people who already have lung conditions. One Faridabad hospital reported about 10 per cent more admissions.
Majeedia Hospital in South Delhi saw 42 people with breathing difficulties in its respiratory OPD on 9 November.

Eye and throat discomfort

Residents described throat irritation and itchy eyes as the smog settled. These symptoms are common after high-pollution days and usually ease as exposure reduces.

Firecracker safety

Hospitals also treated festival-related injuries. Four major Delhi hospitals together handled 397 burn cases, and the eye centre at AIIMS Delhi saw nearly 110 people with eye injuries on Diwali night and the following morning. It is a good reminder to supervise children around crackers.

Common Short-Term Symptoms

Eye and throat irritation: Red, watery or burning eyes and a sore throat.
Asthma and COPD flare-ups: Wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness.
Bronchitis and infections: A persistent cough, phlegm or fever.
Heart health: Polluted air can put extra strain on the heart, so people with heart conditions are advised to take added care.

Most of these symptoms are temporary. Over the long term, what matters most is repeated exposure year after year. WHO links long-term exposure to air pollution with chronic lung disease, heart disease, stroke and lung cancer, so small, consistent precautions help.

Why Children Need Extra Care

According to WHO, children breathe more rapidly than adults and their lungs are still developing, so they take in more pollutants for their size. Doctors in Delhi have noted that children and older adults need the most care this season, and one senior paediatrician pointed out that keeping indoor air clean matters just as much as limiting time outdoors.

Signs that mean it is time to check with a paediatrician

Wheezing or noisy breathing
A cough that persists or keeps getting worse
Rapid breathing
Reduced feeding, unusual sleepiness or irritability in babies

On the safety front, Safdarjung Hospital treated more than 30 children under 12 for burns over 7 and 8 November.

Others who benefit from extra care: The Union Health Ministry also lists older adults, pregnant women, people with heart or lung conditions and outdoor workers as groups who should take additional precautions.

Simple Steps That Help on High-AQI Days

Check the AQI first. Check hourly AQI updates, so you can plan outdoor time around cleaner hours.
Move workouts indoors. The Health Ministry advises skipping morning walks and jogging when the AQI is above 200.
Wear a well-fitted N95 or N99 mask outdoors. Masks filter particles, though not gases, so they work best alongside other steps.
Keep indoor air cleaner. Close windows during peak hours, avoid incense and mosquito coils indoors and prefer wet mopping to sweeping. A HEPA air purifier can help in the rooms you use most.
Keep medicines handy. People with asthma or COPD should keep prescribed inhalers close and review their care plan with their doctor.
Rinse and hydrate. Wash your eyes with clean running water, gargle with lukewarm water and drink enough fluids.

When to see a doctor

Consult a doctor for breathlessness, chest pain, a cough that keeps getting worse, giddiness or eye irritation that does not settle. If breathlessness or chest pain is severe, seek emergency care without delay.

How Health Insurance Fits In

Most pollution-related symptoms settle with rest and simple care. Occasionally, an asthma flare-up or a chest infection may need hospital treatment, and a suitable health policy helps manage the cost.

Key policy features to review

Initial waiting period: Most policies do not pay illness claims in the first 30 days, while accidents such as burns are usually covered from day one.
Pre-existing disease waiting period: IRDAI caps this at 36 months, and some plans offer add-ons that shorten it for conditions like asthma.
OPD cover: Many base plans cover hospital admission but not routine doctor visits, tests or medicines.
Senior citizen terms: Senior plans often have co-payments and their own waiting periods.

Points worth remembering

Share your health history accurately. Disclose asthma, COPD, heart conditions and smoking habits when you buy a policy. Accurate disclosure helps avoid claim disputes later.
Benefits vary between plans. Cover for chronic conditions, OPD and short hospital stays differs between insurers and even between variants of the same plan.
Consider long-term protection too. For anyone with financial dependents, term insurance pays a lump sum to the family if the policyholder passes away, and some plans offer critical illness riders. It does not pay hospital bills, so it works alongside health insurance rather than replacing it.

If you are unsure whether your plan suits your family, comparing options with expert guidance can make the decision simpler.

The Bottom Line

Post-Diwali smog is a seasonal challenge, and a little planning goes a long way. Check the AQI, plan outdoor time sensibly, wear a well-fitted mask and keep indoor air clean, especially for children and older family members. Pair these habits with health cover that suits your family's needs, and you can enjoy the festival of lights with confidence and peace of mind.

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