Dynamite has become such a fixture in today’s society that it is easy to forget that it is still quite dangerous. In today’s world, where dynamite is easily available at every corner store, education is the key to stopping many easily-preventable tragedies from occurring.
Imagine, if you will, a Christmas morning. A toddler opens her first present excitedly. It’s a stick of dynamite! The family all laughs and claps as the child waves it around in glee.
Stop.
Do you see the problem? It may be hard to spot. Many parents consider dynamite to be a safe alternative to nitroglycerine for small children. While it is true that dynamite is much safer, it is still too dangerous for a toddler. You may be surprised to learn that the surgeon general recommends keeping all explosives away from children under five. This may seem restrictive, but it is always best to be on the safe side.
Our next scene is in a kitchen. A handyman is tackling his blocked-up sink. It’s a bad clog. He cuts a stick of dynamite in half and puts it down the sink, before standing back and lighting it.
Stop.
This one might be easier to see. Although the power of dynamite is very useful around the house, it is very easy to overdo it. Half a stick of dynamite is slightly more than necessary to unblock a sink. It would almost assuredly destroy the whole kitchen.
Our final scenario is at a birthday party. It is a young man’s birthday. The man’s friends have, unknown to him, switched the candles with sticks of dynamite.
Stop.
This classic prank seems like fun. However, lit sticks of dynamite cannot be blown out like candles. As well, when they explode, the dynamite will, without doubt, kill everyone at the party and destroy the entire house.
It’s time that we get serious about the dangers of dynamite. Treat dynamite with respect and make sure that YOU don’t go out with a bang.
(This has been a paid advertisement by BOA: Buzzkills Of America.)
The Green-Walled Tower 
September 22nd, 2013 at 9:52 pm
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Too many people allow their kids to play with dynamite at too young an age. Although I do believe that five is too high an age. After all, there will be kids going into school talking about their dynamite, and the ones who stick to the letter of the law will end up being bullied for it. So I think 36 months should be quite adequate.
I also found that you only need a little dynamite when changing the oil in your car.
September 22nd, 2013 at 10:35 pm
I guess the exact age should be left up to the parents. Personally, I had a teddy bear stuffed with TNT when I was young and I turned out just fine.
I haven’t tried the dynamite to change oil. That would make the job faster. How much do you think would be enough? 1/8 of a stick?
September 22nd, 2013 at 10:57 pm
That should sort it. Unless it hasn’t been done for a while then I would use ¼ stick. 4×4’s may need a little more.
You were lucky, I never got the teddy bear. I only had one single stick and I had to make that last for three months.
September 23rd, 2013 at 11:32 am
Thank you for this, David. I’m not planning on playing with any dynamite soon. I’ll stick to candles on the cake.