Glow sticks safer alternative to sparklers

June 18, 2009

With the 4th of July approximately three weeks away, party planners across the country may be gearing up for their backyard cookout, complete with red, white and blue decorations.

However, one party element that some organizers may want to leave behind are sparklers, which have been traditionally used by children during a fireworks show.

According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, sparkers have the ability burn at 1,800 Fahrenheit, which has the potential to harm the adult or child holding on to it.

In an effort to avoid injuries during the holiday weekend, parents may want to use glow sticks as a safe alternative.

The sticks, which can come in various forms, offer the same nighttime luminescence without the possibility of hot sparks flying off of it.
While some children have worn them as necklace pendants, others have wrapped them around their heads as a makeshift hat.

Glow stick products are also a good way to light up a snack table for people to see when the sun goes down and guests still want to hang out in the backyard.