It’s that time of year again: we’re heading out to nearby fields on crisp evenings to watch terrific firework displays, warm ourselves by bonfires or wave sparklers around like magic wands. Celebrations on and around bonfire night are a joy for both kids and adults, but it’s understandable you might have concerns about taking babies to firework displays. We’ve put together some tips to help you care for your baby and to keep your mind at ease on one of the most spectacular nights of the year.
Photo by Caleb Jones on Unsplash
Use ear defenders
Fireworks are loud (roughly 150 decibels – that’s louder than a police siren or thunder clap!), so it’s important for both adults and children to stand at safe distance from the display (50-60 metres for children and 15-20 metres for adults).
It’s advised that babies should not be exposed to fireworks as it can damage their hearing, so if you're taking baby along, then ear defenders are a great idea. To get you started, Tech News Central have put together a list of their top five noise cancelling headphonesfor babies and kids.
Keep them warm, but be wary of fire
Being outdoors in November is always going to be a chilly affair. Make sure your baby is warm enough with extras like hats and mittens. Use layers so you can remove clothing as necessary, as you don’t want your baby to be too hot or too cold. (Your Bluebell Smart monitoring system will monitor baby's temperature and let you know if they get too hot or cold - that's one less thing to worry about).
And avoid trying to keep your baby warm by the bonfire: hot sparks can fly out very quickly, and wood smoke can be dangerous for little lungs. Keep your baby close to you at all times, especially when other children are using sparklers (which can get five times hotter than cooking oil and should never be given to a child under five or an unsupervised child).
Photo by Flo Dahm on Pexels
Keep them close at all times
If your little one's walking or crawling, make sure to keep hold of them at all times so that they don't wander off near anything dangerous. A baby carrier is great for this.
Don’t get your hopes up
Many babies will sit through a firework display, in awe of the bright lights colouring the sky, and some will even sleep through it all. But for others, the noise and crowds may be too much. If baby becomes distressed in any way, make sure you keep your family/friends close in case plans change, and figure out an escape route as soon as you get there.
If you’re worried about the rest of the family missing out, try taking baby back to the car – they might feel more comfortable watching the display from there while you wait for the rest of your group.
Stay at home but don’t miss out
Having a firework display in your own garden (whilst your baby watches from indoors) means that they are in a comfortable, controlled environment where they’re protected by walls and windows. If your baby isn’t a fan of the loud bangs or bright lights, they can be taken to another room or the fireworks can be stopped, and you don’t have to worry about traipsing all the way back from a field.
Always make sure to follow The Firework Code to keep yourself and your family safe if you choose to have a home display.
We hope you and your family have a fantastic bonfire night, and always remember to stay safe, keep warm and have fun!
