The Big Bang Theory
I still get a chuckle thinking about that great line in the Christmas Story movie – where the boy’s wish for a bb gun is insatiable.
He’s rebuffed with the comment: “You’ll shoot your eye out, Kid.”
It’s funny, but not really.
Just like fireworks – they’re awesome, but that doesn’t make them safe to be around.
July 4th isn’t the time to teach your kid how to light a match – torch a wick and throw it in the 
air – all in one smooth motion. In fact it’s downright dangerous – adults – professionals - have perished doing just that. (I’m still very cautious when I light the BBQ grill)
So remember safety first this July 4th – no matter your child’s age. Even picking up spent fireworks requires caution – make sure they are hosed down, or soak them in water, before touching if the kids are on clean-up duty to pick up the sparkler sticks and other small fireworks.
If you’re headed out for an evening of community fireworks (I don’t mean a homeowners association meeting, I really do mean the good old-fashioned fireworks) then there are still a few things to consider.
Some children hate the noise – it seems to truly hurt their ears. Be prepared to lay the blanket farther rather than closer to the source of the explosions. Another advantage to doing that is with some distance, you can avoid the raining debris fallout that some fireworks produce.
Check out KidHealth for lots of good no-nonsense common sense fireworks safety advice.
And check out our Crime & Safety blog on the topic.
photo credit: Sun Sentinel, Mark Randall
Follow Cindy Kent on Twitter.com @mindingyourbiz
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work.
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Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s.
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Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces.
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 15, and Lily, 7, and is married to a journalist, Bob Norman. She covers Broward County government, which is filled with almost as much drama as the Norman household. Almost.
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator and the father of a 7-year-old girl, and two boys ages 4 and 3.
Kyara Lomer Camarena has a 2-year-old son, Copelan, and a brand new baby. 
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