Last year more than 11,000 reported injuries where attributed to fireworks along with the average 230 trips to the emergency room per day in the month surrounding Fourth of July celebrations. According to Safe Kids Worldwide it's best to leave the fireworks to the professionals. Take your family to see a public fireworks display, don't try to create on on your own. 

For your Fourth of July Celebration try these kid-friendly alternatives instead:

 1. Glow Sticks

 Twenty percent of the reported injuries happen with sparklers. Sparklers throw off spark and burn at over 1200 degrees. Little one's arms are too short to keep them at a safe distance from their body. Glow sticks are a great alternative. They're bright, fun without any danger of being burned. 

 2. Silly String

Silly string gives your older more active kids a fun way to create a fireworks effect. And yes, you can even buy silly string that glows in the dark. 

3. Party Poppers

These are fun and make an innocent popping noise when engaged. 

4. Glow in the Dark Bubbles

This is a fun twist on regular bubbles and it's perfect for your young ones to celebrate the Fourth of July

5. Poppers, Throw-downs, or Bang Snaps

Whatever you call them, you know what they are. You can throw them down on the concrete and they will make a small pop and spark. These are a safe alternative to firecrackers for older kids. Only use these under close supervision. 

Be safe this Fourth of July!

Bonnie Jean Feldkamp is a writer and mother of two and expecting her third. If you liked this posting please follow her on Twitter @writerbonnie or like her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WriterBonnie for more great info on Raising Kids.