How to Know Fireworks Safety

No matter why you are buying fireworks, whether it is for Fourth of July activities, New Year's Eve activities, or another special event, buying and using fireworks is as much about safety as it is fun. In order to assure a safe and fun firework experience it is important to follow some basic recommendations to be certain your special event is an exciting and safe experience for everyone.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine what kinds of fireworks you want to purchase and whether or not they are permitted to be sold and used in your state.

2. Make sure that you understand the laws and regulations related to using fireworks in your county.

3. Check the instructions on all fireworks before you purchase them to understand what the manufacturer's recommendations are for storing them, lighting them, and what to do in case of a misfire.

4. Understand which types of fireworks are safe for young children and older children to use and under what type of adult supervision is required.

5. Decide where you are going to set off the fireworks, making sure they will not be close to homes, dry leaves or grass, or other combustible materials.

6. Prepare the area where the fireworks are going to be ignited by clearing away all brush, paper, flammable trash, and putting several buckets of water around the area to be used in case of an emergency.

7. Devise a plan for what to do if a firework has been lit or ignited but it does not go off. Make sure this plan is known to all who will be shooting off fireworks in the designated firework area.

8. Develop a plan for how those who are igniting fireworks will work together to ensure each others' safety while in the designated firework area. This should include making a safe storage area for unused fireworks.

9. Protect yourself at all times while shooting off fireworks. This can be done by ensuring that no part of your body is ever directly over a firework while you are lighting it.

Tips & Warnings

• Never permit young children to play with fireworks at any time or for any reason. Remember that even though “Sparklers” appear to be a wonderful firework for young children they can be very unsafe.
• It is important to know that even children who are older and may appear to be capable of playing with fireworks should be supervised at all times. There should be rules that require older children to respect fireworks and the dangers they present and no running or horseplay should be allowed.
• Do not ever use homemade fireworks.