Today I solved a problem. Woohoo! And it was just in time for sparkler season.
My boys LOVE sparklers but at the same time they are scared of them-- frankly I think a tiny bit of fear of fire is a good thing. However, I still want them to enjoy sparklers safely.
Enter the Red Solo Cup! (Are you humming the song, too?! Bet you won't be getting the tune out of your head very soon! It's catchy like that.)
Poke a tiny hole in the center of the top. Insert Sparkler so the end that burns is outside the cup and the handle wire is inside the cup. Light the sparkler and enjoy.
You are all smart but I feel like I need to post some warnings...
** Be safe with fireworks and read the warnings on packages!!
** Make sure the burning end of the sparklers remains OUTSIDE the cup. Make sure kiddos are holding the end of the handle against the inside bottom of the cup so the cup can't slip down and allow the sparkler to burn inside the cup.
** When the sparkler is done burning, hold onto the outside of the cup with the other hand and release the sparkler above a bucket of water, as shown. Don't touch the hot end of the sparkler!!!
Have fun and Be Safe!
**Editted to add**
So after reading comments below, I decided to see under what conditions the cup would melt.
Even holding the lit sparkler one inch away during the entire burn, there was not a mark on the cup.
In fact the only way I got the cup to melt was when I stuck the lit sparkler inside the cup, where the heat can build up more. It melted a hole in the side about the size of a dollar coin.
If you are worried that your kids can't keep the sparkler outside the cup bend the wire so that it can't slip inside the cup. My 5 and 7 year-olds were fine.
found this on pinterest. Such a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! Don't you love pinterest?!
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DeleteIf solo cups didn't burn or melt this would be a great idea. I'd be very afraid of molten plastic encasing a child's hand.
ReplyDeleteI did this with my kiddos and the handles on our sparklers were long enough that when held at the end inside the cup the sparks didn't even discolor or warp the plastic cup. I have no worries about the plastic melting, but as with all fireworks and fire, adult supervision is REQUIRED. Please keep your kids safe.
DeleteI would have worries about the plastic melting. After all you are doing this to protect the child's hand from sparks, right? well those sparks could melt the plastic! If I were to do this I think I would encase the plastic cup in Aluminum foil! I would not trust a plastic cup by itself!
DeleteI agree!! Plastic & fire? NO WAY.
DeleteThat IS the goofiest song ever! I love this idea. I will be doing this with my kids, Thank you for the great idea. I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! I love your site.
DeleteWhen my daughter was 4 years old, she was playing with a sparkler. I was right there watching her, in fact, within inches of her. A wayward spark landed on the top of her foot and burned a small hole right through her skin, 8 years later, she still has the scar and a fear of sparklers to boot. No matter what anyone says, a sparkler is still nothing but a stick that is lit on fire and handed to a child. I will get off my soap box now and wish all a happy and SAFE 4th of July.
ReplyDeleteThe same thing happened to my son, except it was a little burst of sparks that flew on his legs and burned him very badly. He was not even the one holding it - an adult was.
DeleteIf you are worried about your kids burning themselves with a sparkler, maybe you shouldn't let them use one? When used properly, at arms length from the body, under Adult supervision, by a competent person, there should be little risk of burns from a sparkler. By adding an inverted solo cup, you are adding a false sense of security to your child. I think, as a father, when my son is old enough and ready to enjoy a sparkler, he will so the same way I did. If he gets a small burn from the wire, yes it will hurt temporarily, but he will learn that fire + metal = HOT. I think putting a cup on a sparkler will just push that lesson further away. If you want to avoid the burn from the wire sparkler all together, bamboo sparklers are now available.
ReplyDeleteFound you via pinterest!!! Love it, I will share it on my FB page :)
ReplyDeleteThis is not just an accident waiting to happen, but a lawsuit waiting to happen... how can you put up something like this for something that has been proven dangerous?! I actually have seen the combo burn before of melted cup plastic and sparkler. It is NOT pretty.
ReplyDeletei disagree. this is way more unsafe than holding it. My husband is a firefighter. the spark from a sparkler can melt a quarter. putting it in a plastic cup is just asking for added trouble. Please dont do this
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately this is incorrect. It would not burn through the cup. She also added an update where she did some tests. Awesome idea!
DeleteDo you mind if I add this to my company July newsletter? I will site your blog. It's such a wonderful idea I want to share.
ReplyDeleteFeel free, and thanks. Please remind them to use fireworks carefully! Have a great summer.
DeleteLove this! Just shared on my Facebook page. ~Katie at The Artful Child http://www.facebook.com/TheArtfulChild
ReplyDeleteLove this!! I included it in my Summer Tips and Tricks post :) Hope you dont mind! http://inthiscrazylife-bethany.blogspot.com/2012/06/10-tips-and-tricks-for-summer.html
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be okay with the cup. My kids are not around sparklers period.
ReplyDeleteGood idea. I included this in a recent 4th of July post with a link back to your site. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe 4th of July.
Blessings,
Please DO NOT do this!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) — hot enough to melt gold.
This is a great idea! Found you on Pinterest and thought this would work just fine. I've never been too concerned with sparklers and have never had any incidents, but it just seems like a good extra precaution. Wondering if you could even use a foam cup or plate. If anyone is that concerned with the sparkler melting the cup, then just don't use sparklers period. I don't see how this could hurt and I am glad you added your test results! I featured you on my blog in a quick post about sparkler safety: All Things with Purpose: Sparkler Safety 101
ReplyDeleteStyrofoam is HIGHLY flammable. DO NOT USE STYROFOAM.
DeleteHey! I LOVE YOUR IDEA! But like some of the other parents, I am concerned about flammability. Although highly unlikely, plastic could potentially catch fire. And maybe a solo brand cup is a different grade of plastic than a generic brand that could be more flammable. Could I be so bold as to offer another suggestion to improve on your already fabulous concept? Mini aluminum pie pans. They are non-flammable, could be a good recycle project after a pot pie lunch or you can buy them at any grocery store in the baking aisle. THANK YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteFantastic idea for the mini pie pans! I LOVE those chicken pot pies (until I read the labels!). I tested this out before I gave them to my kids. Different brands of cups and sparklers could make a difference so always test it out first.
DeleteLOVE this idea and using it this evening. Thanks!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Thanks for sharing. =)Sharing it on fb today
ReplyDeleteWow, great idea!!! Hot melted plastic stuck all over a small child's hand is such a better option than just dropping it when burns down to the bottom.
ReplyDeleteI love your creativity and think the picture looks charming. With the best of intentions, you are giving people bad advice. Sparklers burn at 2000 degrees!!! Please, please, take down the post. I work for a TV station and our reporter did a live demonstration based *ON YOUR PHOTO* and confirmed it is very dangerous. Fire officials also say this is not a good idea.
ReplyDeleteyou are SO SMART! I linked do you here: http://dollarstoremom.com/2012/07/firework-safety-make-a-simple-sparkler-shield/
ReplyDeleteRead the ABC News article to find out why this is unsafe. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Health/story?id=898855
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ReplyDeleteSimple. Effective. Genius. Thanks for posting this! We did a test run today, and it worked like a charm! I'm sharing this on my blog tomorrow (with link back to you, of course)!
ReplyDeleteGina at CampClem
I let my 4 year old do this tonight and what do you know the cup caught fire and she was burned I was standing right there helping her AWFUL IDEA!!!
ReplyDeleteSparklers burn at 1800 degrees. We don't let our children go near ovens burning at 350...
ReplyDeleteNo matter what precautions you take, fireworks are not safe. My mother is the director of an organization that promotes fire safety and they also hold a camp for children who are burn survivors. At least 15% of the children there have been severely burned because of fireworks. No matter how much supervision you give or how good your intentions are, fire is fire. Sparklers are unpredictable.
...you can also use a piece of duck tape inside the top of the cup to hold the sparkler in place. I was burned as a 5 yr old. The burn doesn't stop for a while. I haven't given my kids sparklers...we use them on birthday cakes.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so beautiful and the topic is so great!Hope you can also come with me to mmolive.com. Diablo 3 Gold,Cheap RS Gold and WOW Gold in here!
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ReplyDeleteIf you are worried about your kids burning themselves with a sparkler, maybe you shouldn't let them use one? When used properly, at arms length from the body, under Adult supervision, by a competent person, there should be little IsABeL Marant SneakErs risk of burns from a sparkler. By adding an inverted solo cup, you are adding a false sense of security to your child. I think, as a father, when my son is old enough and ready to enjoy a sparkler, he will so the same way I did. If he gets a small IsAbEl MArAnt BOOts burn from the wire, yes it will hurt temporarily, but he will learn that fire + metal = HOT. I think putting a cup on a sparkler will just push that lesson further away. If you want to avoid the burn from the wire sparkler all together, bamboo sparklers are now available.
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ReplyDeleteThis is such a good idea for a summer party. Sparklers are so fun but dangerous especially for younger kids and this is a very simple way to let them enjoy the sparklers but supervision is still obviously necessary. For more help planning you child's party go to funtiqueparties.com.
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