Flipping record causing series of loud pops

So it is possible after all to sneeze and blow your brains out. Always thought that was just a joke. My condolences.

Well, like a couple mentioned....mute or volume at zero before flipping or changing the source.  Sounds like a static thing....

@mijostyn 
  +1 
  I prefer my M1A over the AR15, but either will remove that pesky static.

The Zerostat is very good at neutralizing static.  Purchased mine in 1975, white with blue logo.  Still works as good as day one.  It warps a piezo electric cell, one way is positive, the other negative.  Try one, put it on your arm round tip against your arm.  Slowly pull and release the trigger, you Will feel the device working.  But, hey, I know nothing, major universities and institutions use it in their labs.  It works.  Like mc said.....

All of the above !!  However the only slight pop you should hear is when you remove the pickup from the record with the volume up. I always mute my preamp when engaging or removing the pickup;  - - - - this avoids any chance of a loud transient going through your speakers causing "possible" damage. Even the best of us get a little case of the "clumsys" 
occasionally. I am fond of tube phono preamps but have not used one that is prone to the condition of your concern. You could always change preamps. I guess I'm not too fond of having to use "antistatic devices" every time I play a record. At least I have never found the need, and I have experimented with one.