On July 7, Slavs celebrate one of the most mysterious and magical holidays, Ivan Kupala.

      The night before Ivan Kupala is special, fairytale-like, and bewitching. On this night, our ancestors bathed in lakes and rivers, jumped over bonfires, and gathered medicinal herbs. These traditions are alive, honoured, and observed in our time. The holiday is celebrated cheerfully and in unity, but it is also very important that it is celebrated safely.

POSTULATES OF KUPALA SAFETY:

I Postulate: Aquatic

According to legend, water in reservoirs on Kupala becomes healing, acquiring special, magical properties. Therefore, many gladly plunge into the water. However, to prevent mermaids and water spirits from dragging you to the riverbed, it is necessary to strictly observe the rules. It is forbidden to:

- Swim while intoxicated;
- Swim beyond the buoys and warning signs;
- Swim and dive in prohibited and unknown areas;
- Jump into the water from dams, piers, boats, vessels, rafts;
- Engage in horseplay involving diving and grabbing swimmers' limbs, climbing on buoys and other technical structures;
- Leave children unattended near water.

II Postulate: Fiery

On this magical night, fire also acquires healing properties: according to legend, it removes curses and drives away evil spirits. On the night before Kupala, our ancestors chose their partners and, holding hands, jumped over bonfires. If sparks flew after the couple and their hands did not separate during the jump, it meant a wedding was to follow. Whoever jumped higher would be happier.

It is unknown whether the desire to be happy guided the 35-year-old resident of the village of Zarechye, Smolevichi District, when on July 6, 2016, at 11 PM, while jumping over a bonfire, he received burns to 80% of his body.

Therefore, it is much "happier" to watch the bonfire flames from a safe distance. And under no circumstances should you jump over it, especially when under the influence of "the green serpent," when "even the sea is knee-deep, and the fire is ankle-high."

By the way, bonfires must also be lit according to the rules:

Firstly, do not do this in a dry forest or peat bog, in young coniferous stands (needles are excellent fuel), or under power lines. Secondly, the campfire site must be located on a cleared area, free from the topsoil, at a distance of at least 10 meters from buildings, 20 meters from forest stands, and 30 meters from haystacks and straw stacks. Thirdly, surround the campfire with stones or other non-combustible material. And, fourthly, do not forget to extinguish it before leaving. Pour water on the campfire, then rake through the ashes and make sure there are no smoldering embers underneath. Wait until the smoke stops rising.

III Postulate: Mass Event Safety.

Of course, the beloved folk festival is accompanied by mass celebrations, round dances, songs, dances, and games.

The most dangerous thing that can happen in a large crowd, psychologists call the phenomenon of unconscious emotional contagion. People overcome by panic lose their individuality and become part of a destructive force. And here the main thing is not to miss the moment when a crowd turns from good-natured to aggressive. This happens very suddenly and quickly.

If you find yourself in a crowd: never go against the crowd, try to avoid the center and edges of the crowd; avoid stationary objects in your path: bins, poles, trees, fences, cordon vehicles, building corners, as well as glass shop windows, safety nets, embankments, bridges, narrow passages; do not grab objects with your hands; fasten your clothing, drop your bag, umbrella, take off high-heeled shoes; in a dense crowd, the probability of crushing and suffocation increases, so you should clasp your hands together, place them on your chest to protect your diaphragm, or bend your arms at the elbows and press them to your body; endure pushes patiently, do not respond to them; do not try to pick up a dropped item from the ground, even if it is very valuable, life is more important; do not panic, control your position, try to get out of the crowd to a safe place;

Have fun, relax, enjoy, search for and find the "paparats-kvetka" (fern flower), but DO NOT FORGET about safety!!!!