Sparklers are not, and should not be, considered “dangerous”. Let’s face it, people cut their hands with knives all the time, or bonk their head going down to the basement daily; but that doesn’t mean it isn’t awful. However, with proper safety practices and proper preparation, they are actually quite safe to enjoy. Unfortunately, accidents happen. It isn’t pleasant to talk about; but it happens. Treating a sparkler injury is something people will occasionally need to handle. The good news is that you are not alone, and many people want to know how they can prepare.
Obviously, there’s no “silver bullet” to prevent all sparkler accidents, but there are plenty of things you can do to reduce or even eliminate the risks. Furthermore, you can be prepared if the worst happens. Below, we will go over some things to prevent and treat injuries if they so happen to arise.
How to Treat a Sparkler Injury
Since a sparkler will produce a burn if you are injured, you treat it the same way you would any other burn. Though the temperature of a sparkler is quite high, the damage is usually pretty minimal. Here is the basic three step process for treating a sparkler injury.
- Cool down the burn. Using a gel pack or cold pack, chill the affected area to stop any further damage. Keep a burn cool can minimize the damage tremendously.
- Apply burn dressings. This will help with pain, protect the burn from contamination, and treat the affected tissue.
- Wrap the burn in sterile gauze. This will hold the burn dressing firmly on the damaged skin and keep it from coming into contact with foreign objects. Secure the gauze using adhesive tape.
Once you have treated the injury, you can determine if that is sufficient or if professional help is required. With most sparkler injuries, this level of treatment is usually enough.
Have a Plan and Supplies for Treating a Sparkler Injury
If the worst happens and you need to act fast, having all of the necessary supplies and a comprehensive plan is important. Here are some things to consider if you plan on having sparklers at your wedding.
First Aid and Supplies for Treating a Sparkler Injury
Having the right first aid supplies on hand is crucial. Any standard first aid kit will give you a good variety of items. However, you’ll want to add a few extra things in case you need to treat a burn or injury caused by a sparkler. Here’s a quick list.
- Burn dressings
- Gel packs
- Cold packs
- Gauze rolls
- Cohesive bandage
- Gauze pads
- Adhesive tapes
- Paramedic scissors
- Surgical gloves
Having these supplies on hand will make treating a sparkler injury a much easier process. It’s always best to be over-prepared versus being caught off guard.
Tap Your Resources
With so many guests attending your wedding, someone is bound to have some medical experience. Whether your uncle Charlie is an EMT or your cousin Jody is a registered nurse, there’s a good chance someone is qualified to help. Even if they are just CPR certified, that can be a major help. If someone fits this bill on your invite list, ask them to be the emergency coordinator. Having a leader if something goes wrong is always a great idea.
Know Your Routes and Phone Numbers
It’s always a good idea to plan your routes for a variety of unexpected wedding day mishaps. For example, an expected storm may roll in and you’ll need to know the route to shelter. Similarly, if someone were to become injured, you need to know the route to a hospital. Additionally, having emergency phone numbers for the hospital, police, and fire department is also a great idea. If you know where to go in an emergency and who to contact, managing the situation can be a whole lot simpler.
Safety First: An Ounce of Prevention
By far the most effective solution is to avoid injuries all together. Obviously, that can’t always be the reality. However, with some basic sparkler safety concepts, you can nearly eliminate incidents before they occur.
Give Instructions
The best thing you can do is to give clear instructions to your guests. While many people are familiar with sparklers, etiquette at a wedding is vastly different. The best sparklers for weddings will come packaged in an obvious way, but that isn’t enough. Tell your guests, when, where, and how they are supposed to enjoy them. If everyone is informed, things always go smoother.
Choose the Right Location
Many sparkler injuries are caused by confined locations. If you cram too many people into a small area or there are many obstacles nearby, people tend to make mistakes. Make sure you choose a very spacious location. If you are doing it indoors, everyone needs plenty of space to themselves. Preferably, you will use them outdoors. Either way, ample space is vital in order to prevent a sparkler injury from occurring.
Avoid Alcohol and Children
Let’s face it; alcohol is served at most wedding receptions. If that’s the case, consider using your wedding sparklers in the daytime before people become intoxicated. Additionally, you should use extreme caution when giving children wedding sparklers. Even if they have used them before, it’s not a smart idea at a wedding. Also, treating a sparkler injury on a child is even more challenging. For everyone’s safety, its best just to refrain from both alcohol and children participating in your planned activity.
Remaining in Control of the Situation
The most important thing to remember is that you need to stay calm and collected. If you find yourself treating a sparkler injury, be methodical. Go through the steps to treat the injury and seek additional medical attention if necessary. Most sparkler injuries are very superficial, but use your best judgment if the situation should arise.
