Five Ways to Make Sure Kids Stay Safe Around Fireworks

Everyone loves the Fourth of July—especially my daughter, Lily. At 4, she is finally old enough to appreciate the fireworks at our local park. I’m looking forward to seeing her face light up (quite literally) when she watches the display of bangs, bursts and sparkles. But with the “oohs” and “aahhs” there’s also a little bit of “eeeeee!” because of the potential danger fireworks pose.

I’ll be taking these five steps to heart so that my daughter, her friends, and our family has a safe and enjoyable celebration:

How to Keep Your Family Safe with Fireworks

1) Leave Fireworks to the Pros. The best way to protect your family is to not use any fireworks at home. Instead, attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.

2) Find a Substitute for Sparklers. Little arms are too short to hold sparklers, which can heat up to 1,200 degrees. How about this instead? Let your young children use glow sticks. They can be just as fun, but they don’t burn at a temperature hot enough to melt glass.

3) Take Necessary Precautions. If you do decide to light fireworks yourself, be extra careful. Make sure you’re not wearing loose clothing when handling matches or fireworks. Never use fireworks indoors. Outside, point them away from homes and people, and steer clear of brush, leaves, dry grass and flammable substances.

4) Keep Your Distance. Make sure everyone is positioned far back from where fireworks are being lit. If a device does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate. Instead, have a bucket of water nearby to make sure it’s out.

5) Be Prepared for Problem. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and make sure you know how to operate it properly. When you’re finished with the fireworks, douse the remains with a bucket of water before disposing of them to avoid a trash fire.

Please share these tips with your family and neighbors that everyone can truly enjoy the 4th of July!

Be sure to also check out these summer safety tips to have some safe and worry-free days in the sun.