Children Who Are Afraid Of Firecrackers: What Should I Do?

In many countries, it is common to explode firecrackers and fireworks at parties and festivals. But not everyone likes these loud noises. In fact, many children are afraid of firecrackers. Is your child one of them? If so, you need to read this article, because we’ll explain what you can do.

Before we begin, we want to make it clear that fear is a completely normal and natural feeling. Fear is the body’s response to a situation that is considered dangerous or threatening, and a potential danger to one’s survival.

Children who are afraid of firecrackers: What should I do?

First of all, you should know that it will not help the situation to avoid or leave areas or places where firecrackers are used, for example at festivals and private parties.

This will only be counterproductive. Of course, if you leave a place where firecrackers are fired, the child will feel a temporary relief. But if your child never has to face his irrational fear, it is impossible to overcome it. And of course, in the long run this can affect your child a lot.

So what can you do to help your child deal with the fear of firecrackers? Here are some tips.

Predict events

If you are going to a place where you know they are going to set off firecrackers, it is important that your child knows this in advance. You have to tell me. Explain that sometime during the evening your child will hear some loud noises. Also tell them that the sounds come from these small explosives.

You should then assure your children that firecrackers are simply part of the celebration. You will all be there and they do not have to worry.

To further prepare them, you can try watching some videos together. Find clips with parties or places where firecrackers or fireworks have been fired.

Show through your behavior that everything is fine and normal

Above all, stay calm. If your child is afraid of firecrackers, it is likely that he or she will be scared and may cry uncontrollably.

In that case, you should show in every conceivable way that the situation does not worry you at all. On the contrary, everything is completely normal. If the child sees that no one else is afraid of the sound, the child will understand that it is not dangerous. Your child will then a little at a time stop feeling the irrational fear of firecrackers or fireworks.

Children who are afraid of firecrackers: Show understanding of the situation

You should also show empathy for your child and understanding that he or she may be having a hard time. In this case, communication is important. Talk to your child at the child’s level and explain that you also get scared in certain situations. Assure your child that you are there to protect him or her and that nothing bad will happen.

Fear or phobia of firecrackers?

If you think that your child’s fear of firecrackers is exaggerated and goes so far that the child becomes paralyzed, it may be that it is not just a common fear, but rather a phobia. In this case, the best option is to ask for help from a psychologist who specializes in treating phobias.

What is phonophobia?

Phonophobia, also called ligyrophobia or sonophobia, is the term used to describe a specific type of phobia where someone feels an extreme and irrational fear of loud, intense and usually sudden sounds, such as those produced by firecrackers.

In overly noisy situations, people suffering from phonophobia can completely lose control. They may panic or have anxiety attacks.

In addition to the extreme discomfort they feel, it also weakens and limits them considerably. Why? Because they always try to avoid contexts where their fears become apparent to everyone around them.

The importance of teaching children to deal with their fears

If your child is afraid of firecrackers, it is important that you, either at home (in the mildest cases) or with the help of a specialist (in the most severe cases) start treating this fear early. You should try to deal with the fear as soon as you discover that your child is having problems.

The earlier you intervene, the faster you and your child will be able to live a normal life. Going to a party or having an evening out does not risk becoming a stressful, worrying or frightening situation.