Welcome to the 30 Days of Summer – Go-To Guide for Moms!
Day Thirty
The 4th of July is a time of celebration – family, friends, food and of course loud, bright and sometimes dangerous fireworks. We will be at the beach, which makes the tasks of lighting fireworks and allowing kids to be involved somewhat easier, but if weather conditions aren’t just right, it can cause problems too!
One piece of advice – Adults should be in charge of any type of fireworks display. In order for you to enjoy the days’ festivities, the National Council on Fireworks Safety recommends the following:
- Always read and follow label directions
- Always have an adult present
- Only buy from reliable fireworks sellers
- Only ignite fireworks outdoors
- Be sure to have water handy
- Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks
- Light only one at a time
- Never reignite malfunctioning fireworks
- Never give fireworks to small children
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place
- Dispose of fireworks properly
- Never throw fireworks at another person
- Never carry fireworks in your pocket
- Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers
- Bugs are roaming the night for a meal, make sure you take precautions
In addition, use fireworks and sparklers only outdoors. Be very careful when younger children are handling sparklers – this can be the highlight of the fun for them, but many young people get burned by sparklers every year, giving a horrible ending to a family fourth of July.
Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you are, don’t use them. If drought conditions mean a ban on fireworks, follow the law. Only use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter them or combine them. Fireworks and alcohol do not mix.
When all else fails, use common sense. Respect fireworks and sparklers as the great American tradition they are, but also respect the fact that they must be used with caution. Read all of the cautions and warnings and use and abide by them. Lighting fireworks indoors, throwing them from automobiles, and lighting multiple devices at the same time can lead to accidents, and are not how fireworks are intended to be used. {Do I really need to say all that?}
While the kids look forward to the magical display of fireworks, it is important to ensure they are no where near them when set off. Make this a safe holiday by following your local and state regulations. Have a Happy 4th!
That finishes the 30 Days of Summer series – boy am I pooped! I will be taking some of the summer off from blogging – you can find me here on Monday’s and Thursday’s, with perhaps a few posts in between.
How does your family celebrate the 4th of July?
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