AIBU to think you shouldn't give a toddler a sparkler?

[KitKat1985]

Just that really. Quite a few pics on my facebook feed of people with their 2 / 3 year olds holding lit sparklers. It gives me 'the fear' just looking at it and I just can't imagine ever giving my 3 year old a sparkler at her age. I've seen enough pictures of sparkler burns to know how dangerous they are, and I just don't think children that small understand how dangerous they are. I'm sure the parents are supervising and everything, but it only takes a second for a toddler to grab the 'lit' end or to pick up a used sparkler off the ground and not realise it's only just gone out and it's still burning hot. AIBU and a killjoy?

If you think toddlers should not have sparklers, don't give your toddler one.
Bugger off telling me what I should do with my toddler though

They burn at 2,000 degrees. Think about how many incidents toddlers have with ice cream cones and how you don’t give yourself or a friend a fourth-degree burn with an ice-cream cone. You are not being unreasonable.

They burn at 2,000 degrees

No.

Um. Yes.

“Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees — hot enough to melt some metals.”

www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks

Ooh, your google skills are excellent.

Try again, all other sites say far lower temps. Which is more accurate.

Far lower?

Even 1000 degrees is 10 times that of boiling water.

Be as sarky as you like. Do what you like. But they're dangerous, they're not toys and they're not worth the risk.

I don't think I've given ours one under 5 or so but with a parent holding their cuff for a few moments to wave it around or whatever it wouldn't phase me. Obv that would preclude taking a photo at the same time.

Yes, 1000 degrees is far lower than 2000 degrees.

Like I said, if you think they are too dangerous for your children, don't have them. Mind your own business re other peoples children.

As a young child I was handed a sparkler by my parents in our garden. I grabbed the sparkly bit with my other hand and suffered burns to my right hand as a result. I had th wool from my glove embedded in the skin and ended up in hospital to have it cleaned out.
I don’t remember this at all but I have the scars and there were photos taken as it was happening.
My parents never forgave themselves for that. I was never allowed a sparkler again. I’m in my 30s and my parents have never bought them since.
I will allow my child to have one when he is older.

Stupid to give a sparkler to a toddler, and this coming from someone who loves sparklers!
I'm sure the official guidelines are no sparklers for under 5s anyway so that says it all.
I would at around 6 with very strict supervision (holding it with them) and dropping them straight into a bucket of cold water afterwards with the instructions not to pick up already lit ones or touch the sparkly end.

What I hate even more are sparklers on cakes and cocktails

We nearly had an incident with a kid touching one on the cake at a party 🎉

Hate them

I have a 2 year old and won’t be doing it. I constantly tell her not to touch anything hot do it would be stupid to then give her something ridiculously hot and ask her to hold it.

Yes, 1000 degrees is far lower than 2000 degrees.

YANBU my DD has one with gloves at 3.5 years and still managed to burn herself 😔

Anyone remember the public service advert?

Scared the shit out of me when I was wee

Whoops should have rtft sorry!

Of course it’s fine. Depending on the child.

You talk it through, quickly and simply before. You supervise properly, helping them/partly holding it/disposing of it properly immediately.
If you do, how can an accident happen? There is limited risk.

Many of you seem to be totally over-reacting. Or incapable of a reasonable risk assessment.

I think very young kids who are obviously being closely supervised present less risk than older kids whose parentrs give them more independence

My DC were lighting fireworks ( with dads help and close supervision) about 4.The kids most at rt isk are the ones who are never given any supervised exposure to fire

The kids most at rt isk are the ones who are never given any supervised exposure to fire.

I completely agree that as kids get older they should be safely exposed to things like fire and given guidance on how to manage these things safely. But, it has to be age appropriate. My point is that I do not believe that a 2 or 3 year old is the right age to start. Toddler's are too unpredictable, and don't understand the risks. I personally won't give one to either of my DDs until they are at least 5, and only then if they clearly understand the risks and can state they know the 'rules' (like you don't ever touch the sparkly bit, or pick a sparkler up from the floor).

Oh god, that video. I was terrified as a child!