When I was a kid, fireworks were available and no one thought twice about lighting them up for the Fourth of July. We would pick up supposedly child-friendly things like sparklers, morning glories, and those pop or snap type of fireworks (I forget the name.) My mom had some limits – no firecrackers or anything titled with letters and numbers (like M80.) Those were reserved for the adults and children had to be far away from the action.
Where we live, we have plenty of access to firework viewing without taking part of the action. I actually prefer this and can drive to various locations throughout this wonderful city to see some amazing displays, such as the Macy’s Fireworks. This year, we spent the Fourth with family and friends, and shared lots of laughs, great company and delicious food. When one of the parents had a few sparklers for the kids, later on in the day, I was hesitant but allowed my daughter to hold a sparkler. This went on for a good part of the night and kept my husband in charge of supervising her because I wasn’t comfortable with her holding a spitting stick of fire, but he assured me she would be fine. After all, the other kids were also holding sparklers and she couldn’t be left out. (Peer pressure starting early?) My husband also brought up a point that when we were kids, we had access to worse fireworks and with correct supervision, nothing would happen.
But, when there is fire and active children, no matter how much supervision you have, there may be injuries. My daughter got burned from a sparkler and I’m not sure how it happened, but from what I understand she picked up a sparkler from the ground that was no longer sparking. Whether that’s what actually happened or not, we have all learned a few lessons:
- Even though “we did worse and nothing happened to us” may be true, there is a reason why fireworks should be kept to the professionals.
- Children + Fire = danger. It doesn’t matter if its for a special occasion or not. It’s never a good equation.
- Supervision does not ensure safety. Things happen in the blink of an eye. There were 6 adults around when my daughter got burned. Not one of them could have prevented it in any other way than by not giving her a sparkler.
So please, when you decide to light fireworks, make sure the kids are a safe distance away, and keep them out of the action. Fireworks are best enjoyed at a distance.
I’m so sorry that happened to your daughter. I hope she still had a great 4th of July!
Ouch! No fun!
I have ALWAYS been afraid of sparklers — even as a kid. I don’t think I was ever burnt like that but I’ve always been afraid of it happening. Now with children, that fear is even more intense. Your poor little girl!
Oh no!!! That’s is one of the worst things about the 4th of July.
Ouch! I hope it heals quickly.
Oh no! My son is afraid of fireworks and I’m not in to them. I lived in Arizona a long time and they’re illegal there.
Oh no, burns are never fun.
Oh ouch! That looks awful.
Ouch! Our sparklers wouldn’t light…perhaps that is a good thing.
My girls did sparklers for the first time last year on 4th of July and I was a nervous wreck. I didn’t like that the kids were standing too close to one another and that my nephews were lighting the sparklers with a propane torch. This year I was adamant that an adult stand next to and supervise all the kids while they were doing sparklers.
that happened to a cousin 2 yrs ago but it was much worse we no longer purchase fireworks of any kind. Hope the finger heals up quickly looks so painful
Oh now, poor little baby! Burns are painful. My middle son managed to burn off my youngest son’s bangs with a sparkler. It wasn’t too bad but it scared my little guy. I think we’re done with fireworks.
Ouch!! Poor sweety!
Oh man that looks painful 🙁 I actually did sparklers for the first time MYSELF last night, those things always scared me.
aww man – that sucks. Sparklers are definitely more dangerous than they look, we’ve had a couple of 4th of July fiascos with them involving little ones. Thankfully none requiring an emergency room visit.
Oh, poor thing, that looks so bad 🙁
Ouch! So sorry that happened!
that is why I don’t do firecrackers.
Fireworks scare me. I like watching them from afar!
Oh no, poor thing!
Poor thing, and yes things can happen in an instance. We were at Dick’s Sporting Goods and this dad was with his two kids and we were on the second floor. The dad and boy were looking at something and the little girl was half climbing and leaning over the railing that looked upon the bottom level. I had to go over and say something because I was so afraid she was going to lose her grip and tumble over.
Last year, we were outside and my boys were barefoot. We were doing sparklers and they BOTH stepped on sparklers and got that nasty burn. It took a long time to heal and they both have scars on their feet. I felt bad and it was definitely a lesson learned. I hope your daughter’s finger heals quickly.