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How young to light firecrackers?
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<blockquote data-quote="Marguerite" data-source="post: 171994" data-attributes="member: 1991"><p>When husband & I were kids, "Crackernight" was an annual celebration. For weeks leading up to it, fireworks were available for sale at a number of shops in our area. There was no restriction on sale, if you had the money they sold it to you, regardless of age. This WAS in the 60s!</p><p></p><p>Every year on Crackernight, there were fires, injuries etc. Every year before Crackernight, there would be education programs in the schools on how to safely use and watch fireworks. Fire rockets - you bury a glass drink bottle half its depth, in sand, then prop the rocket in it (making sure the rocket is pointing away from you and away from people & buildings), "light blue touch paper, stand well back".</p><p></p><p>Some of the safety regulations were over-the-top - they recommended putting SPARKLERS in the ground to light them and watch them. Kind of defeating the purpose.</p><p></p><p>When I was about 8, Crackernight was changed from Empire Day (which got dropped) to the Queens Birthday Weekend, which just happend to coincide with my birthday. It meant I had some pretty amazing birthday parties, with the whole city setting off fireworks!</p><p></p><p>Sometimes my brothers could be a bit reckless, but in general we were a safe family, when it came to letting off fireworks. Safe, without being ridiculous over it (ie we let kids hold sparklers, but with careful supervision to make sure they didn't touch the hot metal).</p><p></p><p>I was permitted to light fireworks, again with careful adult supervision, when I was about 8 or 9. Possibly younger. But it made me nervous, so I didn't do it often. Our parents and older siblings supervised to make sure we didn't do anything risky. We would have our fireworks display on the lawn, with plenty of space around. Everybody would watch, nobody was permitted to stand too close or the fireworks wouldn't be lit. Anyone breaking the rules was sent inside and had to watch through the windows.</p><p></p><p>I do think being too cautious can be almost as bad as being reckless. I HAVE been to fireworks parties where people were being stupid, and I got out of there as soon as I could. But if people are organised to stand in a group and watch while ONE person is delegated to light ONE (or maybe a couple) firework(s), then it should be safe. People can take turns, so a smaller child who really wants to have a turn at lighting one can be given a fairly safe one to light (one that is known to not explode at any stage - "golden rain" was often a first firework for that purpose) and the lighting was done with an adult supervising/helping. It actually was a good way to reinforce safety lessons. I learnt more about fire safety as a child, because of these fireworks nights, than I'm sure I would have any other way.</p><p></p><p>Mind you, the possibility of things going wrong (not dangerously so) was an extra shot of adrenalin. I remember my 11th birthday party - there were about 20 kids plus my siblings, the cars were in the street and we were partying in the empty garage and into the driveway. Our fireworks display was set up on the driveway and all was going well - until a Jumping Jack shot into the garage. It fizzed around at ankle level, with everyone jumping to get out of the way. The only damage was a scorched sock on one guest who hadn't got out of the way. No burns, no injuries, a lot of hysteria.</p><p></p><p>Catherine wheels - we had a permanent nail in the paling fence. I think most Sydney homes had the nail in the fence for Crackernight. A good, long nail with a small head, the nail angled slightly downwards, made for a really good display. The more engineering-minded would put a bolt over the nail and against the fence, to act as a bearing so the firework wouldn't get stuck and shoot sparks in only one direction.</p><p></p><p>So I do think a well-run family fireworks night can be a positive experience, if you lay down and follow good safety rules, turn-taking, supervision - and plenty of snacks!</p><p></p><p>We also had it in the middle of winter, so the fire risk was at its lowest.</p><p></p><p>Marg</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Marguerite, post: 171994, member: 1991"] When husband & I were kids, "Crackernight" was an annual celebration. For weeks leading up to it, fireworks were available for sale at a number of shops in our area. There was no restriction on sale, if you had the money they sold it to you, regardless of age. This WAS in the 60s! Every year on Crackernight, there were fires, injuries etc. Every year before Crackernight, there would be education programs in the schools on how to safely use and watch fireworks. Fire rockets - you bury a glass drink bottle half its depth, in sand, then prop the rocket in it (making sure the rocket is pointing away from you and away from people & buildings), "light blue touch paper, stand well back". Some of the safety regulations were over-the-top - they recommended putting SPARKLERS in the ground to light them and watch them. Kind of defeating the purpose. When I was about 8, Crackernight was changed from Empire Day (which got dropped) to the Queens Birthday Weekend, which just happend to coincide with my birthday. It meant I had some pretty amazing birthday parties, with the whole city setting off fireworks! Sometimes my brothers could be a bit reckless, but in general we were a safe family, when it came to letting off fireworks. Safe, without being ridiculous over it (ie we let kids hold sparklers, but with careful supervision to make sure they didn't touch the hot metal). I was permitted to light fireworks, again with careful adult supervision, when I was about 8 or 9. Possibly younger. But it made me nervous, so I didn't do it often. Our parents and older siblings supervised to make sure we didn't do anything risky. We would have our fireworks display on the lawn, with plenty of space around. Everybody would watch, nobody was permitted to stand too close or the fireworks wouldn't be lit. Anyone breaking the rules was sent inside and had to watch through the windows. I do think being too cautious can be almost as bad as being reckless. I HAVE been to fireworks parties where people were being stupid, and I got out of there as soon as I could. But if people are organised to stand in a group and watch while ONE person is delegated to light ONE (or maybe a couple) firework(s), then it should be safe. People can take turns, so a smaller child who really wants to have a turn at lighting one can be given a fairly safe one to light (one that is known to not explode at any stage - "golden rain" was often a first firework for that purpose) and the lighting was done with an adult supervising/helping. It actually was a good way to reinforce safety lessons. I learnt more about fire safety as a child, because of these fireworks nights, than I'm sure I would have any other way. Mind you, the possibility of things going wrong (not dangerously so) was an extra shot of adrenalin. I remember my 11th birthday party - there were about 20 kids plus my siblings, the cars were in the street and we were partying in the empty garage and into the driveway. Our fireworks display was set up on the driveway and all was going well - until a Jumping Jack shot into the garage. It fizzed around at ankle level, with everyone jumping to get out of the way. The only damage was a scorched sock on one guest who hadn't got out of the way. No burns, no injuries, a lot of hysteria. Catherine wheels - we had a permanent nail in the paling fence. I think most Sydney homes had the nail in the fence for Crackernight. A good, long nail with a small head, the nail angled slightly downwards, made for a really good display. The more engineering-minded would put a bolt over the nail and against the fence, to act as a bearing so the firework wouldn't get stuck and shoot sparks in only one direction. So I do think a well-run family fireworks night can be a positive experience, if you lay down and follow good safety rules, turn-taking, supervision - and plenty of snacks! We also had it in the middle of winter, so the fire risk was at its lowest. Marg [/QUOTE]
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