America’s BBQ-friendly Fourth of July holiday is synonymous with pool parties, red, white, and blue flags, and those July 4th Old Navy t-shirts so many toddlers and adults alike seem to sport. If you’re spending the holiday making s’mores with the neighbors and tossing burgers on the grill, remember this: Be extra careful when it comes to pool safety, fireworks, and sparklers. Before you roll your eyes and think, “This mom is no fun,” (I am, I promise) know this: Doctors are warning parents that although sparklers may seem harmless or innocent — they can pose a safety risk to kids.
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Be sure to take caution when handling sparklers and disposing of them
Once done, don’t just toss previously lit sparklers into the grass aimlessly either. Toomarian warns that “sparklers’ smoke contains thousands of small metal particles which are toxic to humans and particularly harmful for children to inhale.”
Dr. Hes says as parents, when it comes to sparkler safety, “know the data. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there were about 900 ER department-treated injuries associated with sparklers in 2020. This was also during Covid, so the numbers may probably be higher today.”
Instead of handing out celebratory sparklers to kids, Dr. Hes recommends waving little American flags, and viewing fireworks from a distance because, as always, ‘safety first!”
