The Mom Chronicles: Happy 4th!
Welcome back, moms! Is it just me or is this summer whizzing by? Here we are, already to July. Where does the time go? In light of this being the 4th of July weekend I wanted to take a moment to offer a few reminders as they pertain to two of the most common fourth of July events: Parades and Fireworks. While I know you are all sharp, intelligent people, a few reminders never hurt, and my hope is that this is a safe and enjoyable one for all of you!
To start with, this past week the Peterson crew partook in the fun family summer tradition of attending a parade, something many of you will be doing this weekend. In going I was suddenly inspired in terms of the idea for this column. As there will soon be a parade marching down the streets of Hastings, and as I said, many of you attending others this weekend, I thought this would be a good time to offer a few parade going reminders for you before you hit the streets with your little ones.
The first applies to candy collection.I was horrified as I sat and watched dozens of kids dart in front of moving parade and float vehicles in an attempt to grab that last piece of candy or whatever else was being given out. Kids were literally going up to floats and running or walking along side them in an attempt to get as much candy as they could. This, as visions of a child getting run over or worse danced in my head. This will not be my kids, and I hope it won't be yours either. So, a good ground rule I use is that the kids have to stay on the curb and they can go only for the candy that comes around their feet or is handed to them. In many cities, I learned, there are no throwing rules for candy in parades. Parade organizers have gone to people walking next to floats and handing the candy to people vs throwing it from the floats to try to lessen the risk to parade goers.I think this is a great idea. The thing is kids don't see moving vehicles, they see candy. Additionally the people driving the vehicles pulling the floats can't see kids on the ground around the float behind them, and there are a number of things distracting them that it is nearly impossible to keep track of where each child is around the vehicle. When it comes to animals, mainly horses, try to keep your kids calm and avoid allowing them to shout, run around or throw things at the horses so as to prevent them from getting spooked. And how about all those go carts we as parents love to hate? If they, or another float group, request you to come up off the curb or move your feet, generally that applies to everyone. While there weren't any of these at the parade I attended, there was a motorcycle group in which the bikes soaring up and down the street were near invisible to some kids, or so it seemed. They stood three feet out in to the road and just in my small area there were a couple near misses. As a marching band color guard alumni I can also tell you I have been witness to more then one child getting hit by a flag that is being twirled from them coming too close. As with any other float, keep them back and keep them safe. Finally, if you are going to be sitting on a float instead of watching them, be sure to keep your kids back from the edges or be sure they are sitting down. There are many groups, from the city royalty to dance schools who are up and actively dancing around or moving on floats. If your child is on one of these, be sure there are barriers or adults walking next to the float to try to prevent your child from falling off. And finally, while parade candy is generally safe, it doesn't hurt to do the Halloween once over. In other words, take a quick look through the treats your kids have collected and be sure they are all in their original wrappers and there is nothing fishy about any of them. And while you are at it, this would be a prime opportunity to snatch up that chocolate bar you've been eyeing since it landed at your child's feet!
Before I go let's not forget that this weekend is afterall the beloved 4th of July weekend, so I wanted to throw out a couple reminders for kids and fireworks. Basically, kids and fireworks don't mix. Now watching them at a fourth of July display, yes, but setting them off, not so much. Each year there are thousands of serious injuries caused by individuals, kids and adults, setting off fire works, and this is a friendly reminder of how dangerous they can be. So before heading to that family gathering where there may be some fireworks action consider having a discussion with your kids. Enforce that fireworks are for adults, not for kids, to set off. Remind them to keep a safe distance when they are being set off, and not to touch them, even just to look at them. Fireworks are not toys (try telling this to my uncles) and are not meant for small children to play with. They should be used outside only and encourage them to tell you if they see fireworks misuse by other kids. Additionally it is encouraged that children under five don't use sparklers. If you are the adult setting off the fireworks, be sure to read the instructions and warnings carefully. Keep a bucket of water handy. Never put them in your pockets. Finally, generally as in most other things, alcohol and fireworks are not really a great combination. Need I say more on that one?
I hope you are all having a safe and enjoyable summer! Have a great fourth of July!
No comments:
Post a Comment