Use Sparklers Safely This Weekend!

If you are planning to let your kids play with sparklers this holiday weekend, be sure to follow a few safety tips from the National Council on Fireworks Safety. An estimated 16 percent of all sparkler injuries are due to sparklers burning hands and legs, and most of the injuries occur in young children. To make sure your kids stay safe, do not allow kids under 12 years of age to use sparklers without adult supervision and never hold a child while you are holding a lit sparkler. Other important safety tips:

• Teach your child to always stand while using sparklers.
• Never let your child hold more than one lit sparkler at a time.
• Be sure your child wears closed-toe shoes (no sandals); do not allow them to be barefooted.
• Make sure kids drop used sparklers into a bucket of water to ensure it has gone out completely.
• Do not hand a lit sparkler to another person. Give them the unlit sparkler and then light it afterwards.
• Teach kids to hold sparklers away from their body, at least an arm's length away.
• Teach kids to never wave or throw sparklers or run while holding one in their hands.
• Make sure everyone stands at least 6 feet away from each other while holding lit sparklers.

Have a wonderful, safe, and happy Fourth of July!