Tag Archives: fireworks

20 Ways to Avoid Independence Day Injuries

Nothing extinguishes Fourth of July fun faster than an injury.  That goes double if your young child is the victim of an Independence Day accident. To avoid the physical pain and suffering associated with a holiday mishap and the added agony of paying sky-high medical bills, consider the following safety tips:   Never allow children to ignite fireworks. Adults should be on hand at all times when children are near fireworks. Always follow the instructions printed on the fireworks’ box. Keep fire extinguishers, water hoses or a bucket of water on hand if you are using any type of pyrotechnic, … Continue reading →

Fourth of July Kid-Friendly Fun

Eye-popping fireworks shows may be the highlight of a Fourth of July gathering, but there’s plenty of time to kill before the aerial festivities blast off. To keep kids busy while they countdown to the glittery pyrotechnic display have them complete these fun Independence Day-inspired projects: Patriotic Pinwheels Cut-out a 4-inch by 4-inch square from cardstock or white construction paper.  Use crayons, markers or colored pencils to decorate the paper in patriotic colors.  Next, use a ruler to lightly draw diagonal lines from corner to corner.  When you are done, you should have an “X” drawn in the middle of … Continue reading →

Surviving Independence Day with a Toddler

There are few toddlers who are not captivated by the sight of colorful fireworks lighting up the night sky. It’s the thunderous booms most tots can live without. You want to see real fireworks?  Take an unsuspecting toddler with sensitive hearing to a Fourth of July fireworks show and you’ll get a front row seat to an explosive meltdown the likes of which will surpass any holiday pyrotechnic show. Trust me. Unfortunately, if you have older children, who are unfazed by the massive booms that resonate in your head and chest, the option of staying home on the Fourth is … Continue reading →

Fourth of July Fun for Kids

Happy Fourth of July! The long holiday weekend spells good times for many families across this great country of ours. Picnics, fireworks, and fun are essential parts of Independence Day celebrations. However, if you are partying with young children, you might need more than a Frisbee and a cold one to keep the peace. The following family-friendly activities are ideal for keeping kids busy as they wait for the sun to set and the fireworks show to start: KIDDIE PARADE Create your own Fourth of July parade by decorating tricycles, scooters, and wagons with red, white and blue balloons, crepe … Continue reading →

It’s High Anxiety Season Again!

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Here in the States, the Fourth of July (and the weeks surrounding) is a high anxiety time for pets — thanks to the fireworks. They’ve been setting off fireworks in my neighborhood for at least a week now, with the big day itself still to come. My dogs have been relatively mellow about the firecrackers so far — despite a bad experience in the past where they were thrown at us while we were walking. Perked ears, a little bit of barking and running to the windows… definitely not as bad as it has been. But for some pets, fireworks … Continue reading →

Baby Blog Week in Review: June 30th Through July 6th

Summer time is so much fun with a baby. From splashing in a kiddie pool to talking long walks in a stroller, going to the beach and spotting fireflies, it is always a great adventure. what do you and your baby love about summer? June 30th Baby Blog Week in Review: June 23rd Through June 29th Having you been following along on the issue of tricking a spouse into parenthood? I’ll reveal what I did in my own situation and how it all turned out. If you missed that article or any other, you should check out this past week’s … Continue reading →

The Dogs at the Party

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If you caught yesterday’s blog about fireworks, you may remember that Moose and Lally were invited to attend a barbeque with me. I wasn’t sure if I should bring them, but in the end, since I was going to be out of the house for more than eight hours, I let the pups tag along. They’re good car riders. Moose flopped out on the back seat of my station wagon; Lally rode half the time in the passenger seat next to me and half the time in the way-back of the wagon. I was the one who had trouble — … Continue reading →

Let the Fireworks Begin!

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Last night around nine o’clock, somebody started in with the fireworks. I live across the street from the local high school and middle school, and there’s lots of open space available between the sports fields and parking lots. Through the open window, I could hear the crackle of the fireworks, followed by a whole lot of hooting and hollering. Right around the same time I was hearing the beginnings of Fourth of July celebrations, a friend posted on her blog about her dog’s reaction to fireworks. Not fear — as is a common reaction to fireworks and other loud noises … Continue reading →

Babies and Fireworks

Will you be celebrating the Fourth of July with a fireworks show? If so, here are some things to keep in mind to ensure that everyone, including the baby, has a wonderful, fun and safe celebration. First let’s mention that very young babies shouldn’t be taken to a fireworks show. The loud noises and crowds can make your baby uncomfortable, scare or cranky. While it may be inconvenient, in the long run it might be easier to get a sitter or to watch the fireworks on television or from very far away. Speaking of far away, pick out a spot … Continue reading →

Pets with Noise Phobias

With the Fourth of July on the horizon, this is a good time to take another look at pets with noise phobia. Some veterinarians and behaviorists believe that as many as one out of five dogs suffers from noise phobia. For some pets, reactions to noises can be mild. Perhaps they shake or hide. For others, the reactions can approach full panic. Some pets go into total panic and can hurt themselves trying to escape. Shelters can end up with lots of pets who got spooked and took off during a thunderstorm or the Fourth of July fireworks. Storms and … Continue reading →