Sparklers

[2sp_]

How old do you think a child should be before you would let it hold a lit sparkler?

[Svejk]

2?

[chaptazbru2]

4, with supervision.

[Prudie]

7? Difficult one as we had them from a very young age when I was little.

[ummmm]

3 or 4 being constantly supervised.

[mallyh]

with suitable gloves and supervision 2 years old

[kvalidir]

2 or 3 if you are holding their arm, 3 or 4 if they are supervised depending on the sense of the child.

[2sp_]

Our two are 2 and 4. I'm dead against the youngest having one, and I'm really reluctant to let the oldest have one either. Mr P thinks I'm being psycho-mum again.

They would each be with one of us parents, and we would basically be holding their hand holding the sparkler, but I'm still quite nervous about it.

Am I being OTT?

[ummmm]

A little bit 2sp.

[Prudie]

My answer was random and would see the previous suggestions make a lot of sense but if it's OK for a supervised child of 3 or 4 why on earth are they now banned at all public firework displays?

[2sp_]

Thanks for being honest, ummmm. It's not as if we usually wrap them in cotton wool, both are quite boisterous to say the least.

I guess I just need to get a grip and let them have one!

:-)

Thanks everyone for answering.

[Svejk]

they're your kids. Do whatever you're comfortable with.

[EcclesCake]

If the sparkler is lit by an adult holding it and then placed in the hand of the toddler whose hand is then held to draw shapes and write their name in the dark a I think there is very little risk.

If I wanted to be particularly anal about the whole scenario I would suggest having a bucket of water to one side to extinguish and cool the the dead sparklers.

I loved sparklers and still have to write my name with one :-)

[2sp_]

I do love a sparkler myself!

[jourdain2]

Mine both held their first sparklers (under close supervision) aged 2. Close supervision continued until about 6.

[Mags22]

So long as you watch where they discard them, my sister when 2 or so accidentally sat on a still hot one and burnt her bum!

[woofgang]

the other thing to think about is what you or they are wearing. Some synthetics, if they are thin, can be melted by as little as hot sparkler sparks

[Greedyfly]

I personally don't think I would let my kids have them at all. I am a firm believer that fireworks should be at organised events only. Sparklers can be so dangerous.

[dunnitall]

30? Ok. I think at least 8 years old within sight of an adult who is old enough to supervise .... Are there any about nowadays?

[Peter Pedant]

what ? the lit end ? quite old I would say.

a local lad:
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/warning-after-boy-11-injured-800337

holds the record after blowing a bit of his hand off with a chinese firework.

Apparently fireworks went on sale at midday and yup after only four hours on the first day of sale, he managed to maim himself.

so I am with the kill-joys on this one.

[janbee]

60 !!!