Discharging caps on blinking LEDs - safe?

[R2-D2]

I have finished an LED sequencing circuit using the 555 timer and 1047 decade counter. (I'll probably post a schematic later.) Connected across the LED arrays are discharging caps (C2, C3, and C4 shown in red) so that there's a fading on/off effect when they blink which so far works. My question is, do I need to add diodes in the circuit to protect the 555 and 1047? I think that not only are the caps discharging through the LEDs, but also through those ICs which might be overheating them a bit. I have burnt out a 1047 which was likely from a loose connection somewhere in the circuit. Any ideas would help.

 

[blueroomelectronics]

Post your schematic.

 

[sfink06]

are you sure that the resistors attached to the LEDs are sufficient?

 

[R2-D2]

Hi, thanks for responding.
Yes, they are.

I used this to figure it out:
**broken link removed**