Fourth of July is around the corner —the music, the parties, and the fireworks. For a parent, that may seem like a danger zone for your kids. You probably want to keep them inside until all the projectiles are fired. I get it.
What if I told you it doesn't need to be like that?
You can still light a couple of fireworks, show your patriotic spirit, and keep your child safe at the same time. It seems too good to be true. But it isn't. All you have to do is follow a few guidelines to get the best of both worlds.
1. Consult Your Local Fireworks Laws
This is actually an important step. Aside from the legal repercussions that might arise from using banned products, it is essential to note that legal products are regulated. This means they undergo a lot of testing and would probably be as safe as possible.
Always try to get fireworks that are meant for household use. They are usually colorful and pretty. The drab ones usually let their bang talk and carry much more firepower. Those ones are for professionals.
2. Create a Safe Zone for Your Kids
One good thing to remember is that there are no safe fireworks. Even sparklers are capable of causing serious harm. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, sparklers burn at a temperature of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. So, it is best for your kids to watch the fireworks from a safe distance and not light any.
They can watch from a roped-off area, or better still, you can light the fireworks outside while they watch from inside the house.
3. Make Sure Your Kids are Ready for Fireworks
Fireworks let out loud bangs and noises, which might be too frightening for your little kids. It helps greatly if you explain what they should expect when the fireworks go off. That way, they are prepared and are less likely to run into danger when the bangs begin.
4. Keep Fireworks and Sparklers Out of Reach of Children
This guideline applies before, during, and after using the fireworks. Kids are very curious. They may try to take a firework apart to see what's inside, which may cause some volatile components to explode in contact with air.
So, maybe for today, you can put the cookie jar on a lower level of the kitchen shelf and place those fireworks high up there. That should remove those bangers from the minds of our little Einsteins.
5. Follow Safety Precautions
It would be a bummer if the kids were all right throughout the holiday, but you get hurt. So, here are some safety tips that you should follow:
—Long-stem barbeque lighters can be used to light the fireworks.
—Put on a pair of safety goggles.
—A bucket of water should always be nearby. You never know when you might need one.
—Never put any body part over a firework when lighting.
—Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can.
—If a firework fails to go off, forget it. Trying to relight it might make it blow up in your face.
6. Try Going to a Fourth of July Fireworks Show
You can also leave the fireworks to the professionals and take your kids to a fireworks show. That is even recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). It is a lot safer, and frankly, fireworks shows are usually more colorful than anything we can perform at home.
Independence Day is an ideal time to make memories and share them with your loved ones. We can do all that and still safeguard our kids.
Remember, we are always here to help, so if these guidelines seem too much or you want to leave all the hassle to trained hands, The Elite Nanny Team has the perfect nanny to help safeguard your kids during this holiday. Feel free to contact us anytime or visit us on our website.
CITATIONS
American Academy of Pediatrics, 2018. "Fireworks Safety Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics."
Consumer Product Safety Commission. June 25, 2020. "Fireworks Information Center."