Sparklers. Kids love them. They are still part of the Independence Day celebration every July 4, but parents must take care and set some rules.
Of the 11,000 to 12,000 injuries from fireworks every year, about 14 percent involve the seemingly innocent sparkler. But the little fire sticks are not innocent. Most people don't realize that sparklers burn at about 1,000 degrees, according to CNN. Glass melts at 900 degrees. So, it's obvious that sparklers are not child's play.
If sparklers are still going to be part of the celebration, set some rules:
* Kids should wear shoes. A dropped sparkler can burn feet and, if cold, cause puncture wounds.
* Have a bucket of water ready to dispose of sparklers.
* Kids should use sparklers only outdoors and maintain a distance from each other.
* Children under 7 should never use a sparkler.
* Babies can look at sparklers from about 5 feet away. The sparks are the issue, not the brightness.
* Long 36-inch sparklers that are stuck in the ground can sometimes be just as fun for kids.