Fireworks and Sparklers: Fun Treat vs Potential Danger

It’s the 4th of July and that means barbecues, fireworks and maybe even sparklers.

Sparklers

Here’s the guidance from the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.    

I remember playing with sparklers as a kid and loving it, but when my son gets old enough, I’m not sure exactly how I will handle it. How do you handle sparklers with your children?              

Fireworks

As children get older, some progress beyond the sparklers and want to set off their own fireworks, which can be very dangerous. How do you handle that with your children?

The CPSC does not limit themselves to one short statements on fireworks safety. They have page on their website dedicated to it. They also produced a very explosive video on it, which you can see in the upper right corner of this article under Video, just click on it.

When you go to big July 4th displays, most people enjoy the colorful fireworks in the sky, but some children, especially younger children are not so fond of the loud noise that comes with the light show.

My son is 14 months old and I’m worried that the noise will be too much for him and make him cry. It’s a shame, because I think he’d really love seeing the dancing lights in the sky, but I don’t think we’ll be going to a fireworks show this year.

Do you take your young children to fireworks displays?