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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a 5 yr old is ok to have a sparkler?

53 replies

PopcornFiend · 09/09/2016 22:06

Dd2 will turn 1 very close to bonfire night. I thought it would be nice to start a little birthday tradition of having some sparklers in the garden (not fireworks) followed by hot choc & birthday cake.

Dd1 is 5, DH thinks it's totally unsafe for her to have a sparkler. I think she's v sensible. Aibu and reckless? Are they v dangerous? Obviously dd2 (the baby) won't have one!

OP posts:
MaddyHatter · 09/09/2016 22:08

i think as long as you closely supervise and make sure he's wearing gloves, then its ok.

MaddyHatter · 09/09/2016 22:08

*she's

Fluffyears · 09/09/2016 22:08

The hot end is hotter than a deep fat fryer. You can get a horrific burn from them if not used properly. I think I'd stay away from them for now.

Fluffyears · 09/09/2016 22:09

My dm still has a scar 60 years later.

Babymamamama · 09/09/2016 22:10

No it's not a good idea. I promise you. Please don't.

Wolfiefan · 09/09/2016 22:10

They can cause horrific burns. Be careful. Supervise v v closely and bucket of sand to put it in after.
We just go to an organised display.

SarcasmMode · 09/09/2016 22:10

Id say only if you are holding it along with her. Anything under 10 id be worried about to be honest. They are very hot and sparks come off and could frighten her.

But if you both hold the end you are in control and she still gets to hold it/ have fun.

GeneralBobbit · 09/09/2016 22:11

It's a risk I take with gloves. There's nothing lovelier than the memories being created by the first time you're allowed a sparkler.

I was 4, it was 1973. Bliss. Lovely photo of the rapt attention on my face and my giant bobbly hat.

Iheartgrampyrabbit · 09/09/2016 22:11

According to the published safety info they should never be given to a child under 5 and that a child over that age must be closely supervised.
I'd demonstrate what to do, first with an unlit one, then with a lit one, going through things like keeping it at arms length, not waving it in people's faces, holding it by the very tip, putting dead ones into water etc etc before giving her one to use.
You know your child and how she would cope with it. I'm not sure I'd let my own 5 y old ds have one yet as I don't think he's sensible enough.

Original poster
PopcornFiend · 09/09/2016 22:12

Really? Yikes, ok maybe not worth the risk. Are there any child safe firework type things? Probably not!

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 09/09/2016 22:15

I've seen a kid on fire because their coat caught fire at a fireworks event. She was fine but still.

I have held one with DD but she's not holding one alone any time soon.

sandbagsatdawn · 09/09/2016 22:42

I gave them to mine at that age, but very closely supervised, to the point of holding it with them. I burned my hand on one as a kid because when it went out I didn't realise it would still be hot and put it down into my ungloved hand (wearing glove in the one I was holding it in). Definitely depends how sensible the child is and good at listening to instructions.

attheendoftheday · 09/09/2016 23:11

Last year my then 4 year old had a few sparklers with no problems - wearing gloves, talk about the dangers, safe place to put it when out. I was supervising closely, I think it was fine. It can't be that abnormal as all her preschool friends were doing the same.

If you don't want to have a sparkler then glow sticks (ideally the ones you can make into bracelets) and a torch with Halloween shapes on were very popular too.

user1471552005 · 09/09/2016 23:15

If you do decide to allow it please use leather gloves. The temperature of a sparkler tip can melt a synthetic glove and weld it to a burn in the hand.

allthecarbs · 09/09/2016 23:16

I think it's fine as long as you are very, very sensible.
As long as you are on an area you can stop, drop and roll on easily and keep close supervision over her you'll be fine.

allthecarbs · 09/09/2016 23:18

Sorry to derail but are gloves actually safe? I was always taught to use them so never gave it a second thought but wouldn't they catch fire pretty easily?

That1950sMum · 09/09/2016 23:18

No, please don't. Sparklers looks safe but burn at an incredible heat,

Buzzardbird · 09/09/2016 23:20

I have a lovely 43yr scar off the spark that came off a sparkler if you want to see it?

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 09/09/2016 23:20

My ds's had sparklers with an adult supervising and a bucket of cold water nearby to extinguish the heat.

They wore a glove and all was well.

Be sensible.

Mybeardeddragonjustdied2016 · 09/09/2016 23:25

Had to check your post as some of the replies implied you were thinking of letting your dc hold a banger!! Gloves. Point away. Not near to anyone. Bucket of water for after they done.

Lovely time!!

MrEBear · 09/09/2016 23:26

I watched a Fireworks warning film one day. The firemen rated sparklers as the most dangerous of fireworks, burn at some thing like 1000degC.

If you do decide to allow them make sure you have a bucket of water to put the used ones in to cool them right away and to stop kids picking up used sparklers.

BreconBeBuggered · 09/09/2016 23:28

I wouldn't let myself hold a sparkler, never mind my DC (Both comfortably into double figure ages). I know I'm an anxiety-ridden killjoy, but I don't care. I've always had 'the dog wouldn't like it' to trot out as a reason.

KirstyJC · 09/09/2016 23:28

Our DSes all had them about that age - we just held their hand when they held the sparkler, so we sort of stood behind them and held it in our hands together. (That also meant we held their other arm too so they couldn't try and touch it).

Also had the bucket of water ready and they had gloves on too.

Hobbes8 · 09/09/2016 23:36

I wouldnt. My son is 5 and loves those glow stick windmill type things. They last longer too.

Xmasbaby11 · 09/09/2016 23:42

DD is nearly 5 but not at all sensible, so I really wouldn't with her. I think it depends on your child (mine takes ages to learn to do new things) but if you do it, follow the advice to make the circumstances as safe as possible.