Inside: Take precaution with these 4th of July safety tips for kids so your family can safely enjoy the holiday and create amazing memories.
The 4th of July is a great holiday for letting loose, spending time with people you love, and enjoying the beautiful weather.
You can create fun memories your family will cherish forever.
Your kids may be really excited for the stunning fireworks they can watch, and the sparklers and noisemakers they get to do by themselves.
However, because it’s normal for families and kids to set off fireworks, sparklers, and noisemakers, it’s easily forgotten that the festivities are dangerous with many people experiencing fire related injuries every year.
It’s not just the fire aspect that you need to be careful about either. There’s usually bodies of water, loud noises, alcohol, and crowds involved too.
You want to ensure your kids have fun, but you need to balance the fun with making sure they’re safe.
These tips will ensure everyone’s having fun and creating amazing memories without any accidents happening.
4th of July safety tips for kids
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
1. Do this for safe sparkler fun
This is a fabulous tip I got from my mom!
If you have younger kids, you can protect them from getting burned by having them hold a sparkler through a cup.
You’ll poke a small hole in the bottom of a solo cup, put the sparkler in the hole with the side you’ll light going out of the cup, and have your child hold the end of the sparkler, which is inside the cup.
(So their hand is protected by the cup)
Then you’d light the sparkler after it’s in the cup and your child has a good grip.
2. Supervise your children when they’re using any kind of fireworks, poppers, etc.
Don’t assume your kids will know how to use these, or know how to dispose of them.
Even if your kids are older and you’re certain they know how to safely use and dispose of sparklers, if they’re with other kids, don’t assume the other kids know.
Always supervise your kids when they’re using these or around other kids using these.
3. Teach kids how to properly use sparklers
Before giving your kids sparklers make sure you go over the rules.
- Always hold it away from their body
- Never point them at any other people or animals
- Keep them away from areas that could catch fires like dry leaves, dry sticks, etc.
- Wear closed toed shoes,
- Wear clothes instead of a swimsuit so there’s less of a chance a spark will hit their skin.
Related: 10 Entertaining Summer Activities For Kids
4. Show your kids how to dispose of sparklers
Get a big jug of water for putting all used sparklers in.
Show your kids where the jug is and immediately after they’re done with the sparkler put it in the jug.
You don’t want your child accidentally stepping on one that’s still hot or a fire starting because one gets dropped on some dry leaves.
5. Get glow sticks
Glow sticks are an awesome alternative to sparklers for little kids. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of sparklers or your child is too young for them, glow sticks are a fantastic option that kids love!
6. Only light one at a time
When you’re lighting sparklers, only light one at a time.
Don’t give your child two or more at once.
Also light each child’s sparkler individually to ensure no one accidentally gets hit by the sparkler.
7. Stop, drop, and roll
Teach your kids how to stop, drop, and roll just in case a spark catches on their clothes.
It’s another scenario that no one wants to think about, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
8. Keep kids away from fireworks
If someone is personally lighting fireworks, (like real fireworks, not sparklers) keep your kids far away. Let them watch from a distance and never let them light any or stand close.
9. Have water and/or a fire extinguisher on hand
Sparks can catch on clothing or dry twigs and leaves and may start a fire. You need something to stop the fire in an emergency situation.
10. Get sound proof headphones
If your child is bothered by loud noises, you should consider sound proof headphones.
That way your child doesn’t get frightened from the loud noise, or potentially suffer from hearing loss, and they can still enjoy the fireworks.
11. Use temporary tattoos as identifiers for your child
This is a good idea if you’re going to be out in a large crowd of people.
No one wants to think of their child getting lost, but it can happen.
If your child is scared, or too little, they may not know what information to give in order to find you. These temporary safety tattoos will stand out on your child’s skin and can give someone a way to reach you.
You should also make sure your phone is on you, fully charged, and is on vibrate or on a setting where you will know it’s going off in case of an emergency like your child getting lost.
12. Keep track of your kids cup
If you’re going to a party where alcohol will be served, keep track of what your child is drinking so they don’t accidentally ingest alcohol.
So if everyone’s got red solo cups, don’t just give them a red solo cup and write their name on it. Give them their own water bottle so you both can easily spot which is theirs.
13. When in doubt, use these
If you’re near water or on a boat, make sure your kids are wearing life jackets.
Even if no one is planning on going in the water, you don’t want your kid accidentally falling into the water without one.
14. Make sure there’s a lifeguard
If you’re going to a lake, make sure there’s a lifeguard on duty.
A lifeguard isn’t a substitute for a vigilant parent, but it’s always good to have extra eyes and someone whose trained in emergency situations.
15. Make a supervision plan
Sometimes when you’re in a group of adults, you can get relaxed thinking one of the other adults is watching your kid. Or you may assume your spouse is watching them.
But you should never assume. Assumptions like these are how dangerous accidents can easily happen because everyone thinks someone else is watching the kids.
Instead, verbally agree on who’s watching your kids.
If it’s your turn and you have to go to the bathroom or somewhere else, tell the other adult who’s supervising with you so they know where you’re going and that they need to have eyes on your kids.
Another way to ensure your little kid doesn’t wander off, (like when everyone’s watching fireworks) is have them hold hands with you, or have your them sit on your lap.
Related: How To Teach Your Toddler About Danger
Final thoughts
While the 4th of July epitomizes summer family fun, it’s also usually centered around, fire, water, and crowds of people. Take caution by following these 4th of July safety tips for kids so your family can still enjoy all the festivities of the holiday.
Related Reading
50 Indoor and Outdoor Family Activities Everyone Will Love
