Baby, You’re a Firework {Figuratively, that is}

I read an article that said more Americans will spend the 4^th of July at home with friends and family than in years past. According to this report, we, Americans, plan to have casual BBQs in small groups in backyards, rather than head out of town, go out to dinner or attend an event. That sounds about like our plans this year since the Darling Boys and I will spend the holiday with family in Texas.

Of course, this means that if people aren't attending fireworks shows, they are probably buying fireworks from a stand, or any number of stores {at least in MN} to put on their own little fireworks shows. No doubt, most of these do-it-yourself celebrations will include sparklers.

As a kid, sparklers were the only fireworks my brother and I were ever permitted to have, but only after extreme warnings and shockingly terrifying stories of kids who had been horribly burned, blinded and maimed. Although I looked forward to it with great excitement, I was so concerned about getting injured from that burning, sparking stick held at arm's length that it was a relief when the little red, white and blue box was empty and the sparklers were all spent and this annual tradition was over.

For some reason, sparklers have a safe connotation, but the truth is sparklers are very dangerous. Would you give your child a blow torch to play with to celebrate our country's patriotic holiday? I imagine you wouldn't, but sparklers can burn at 2000 degrees....yes, that's TWO THOUSAND Degrees Fahrenheit; as hot as a blow torch!

That certainly gives me pause as I imagine my boys...my rambunctious, karate kicking, constantly moving, dancing, not-always-focused boys with wands of very hot fire. Hmmmmm..... that just doesn't sound like a good combination to me.

This week I heard a radio DJ say, "Here's what you need to know to stay safe over the 4^th of July: Don't do anything and don't go anywhere; just stay home and do nothing." While this was tongue in cheek, he's pretty much right. However, that's not much fun. So, here are strict, but still festive, safety guidelines for July 4^th from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• 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.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

Here's to a safe and fun 4^th of July! Over and out...

Anna

 

Comments

[Terry]

I am enjoying these posts, Anna!!