How to Keep Children Safe With Sparklers During Fireworks Celebrations

Whether it's the 4th of July in America, Cinco de Mayo in Mexico, Guy Fawlkes celebration in the UK, or the big display of fireworks during Swiss National Day, everyone loves watching the enchanting display of fire in the sky.

What could be more exciting to a child than to hold a lit sparkler ... making huge designs in the heavens and sky writing with a magic wand?

However, safety issues during such celebrations are of great importance. Horror stories are told each year of children hurting themselves with sparkers.

An adult would not give a book of matches to a child and tell them to go outside and have fun, yet when you mix children, sparklers, and very little adult supervision, the results can be just as bad. I have set into action, "sparkler guidelines!"

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sparklers
• Mature Adults
• Children
• Rules

1. 
    

   Be sure to buy brand new sparklers each year. Do not use left overs from previous years.

2. Keep a jug of water or a water hose pipe close by for emergencies.

3. 
    

   Speak to children about the importance of safety before handing them a lit sparkler. Make sure they have understood the rules.

4. 
    

   Have each child stand at least three feet from each other while holding their sparklers.

5. 
    

   Make sure there is one adult near each child who is playing with a sparkler.

6. 
    

   Consider not getting the sparklers at all this year. Children love other things are not as dangerous as well, such as black snakes that grow on the ground or cement when lit.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to play really safe with sparklers this year by purchasing safety goggles for each child to wear.
• Do not let a child light their own snake or sparkler under any circumstance.

[karenlb]

on 7/8/2009 When I was little we did not have many rules for the use of sparklers other than we were to wear shoes and place the used sparklers away from where we were playing. But I bet when my grand daughter is old enough there will be plenty of rules.

[jaredsgirl]

on 7/4/2009 My son and I did fireworks and sparklers yesterday and I had to teach him about being safe around them because he wanted to help. Great article! 5*

[Mitestarossa]

on 7/4/2009 It is always important to keep kids safe.

[sonni57]

on 7/4/2009 I can't count the times I've burned my fingers on those silly sparklers.

[godfather25]

on 7/3/2009 Outstanding article. Always a pleasure to read.