How to Safely Light Fireworks

Fireworks cause thousands of injuries every holiday season. Most of these injuries happen because people don't know how to safely light fireworks in the right place or form. By exercising some common sense and following some simple steps, it is possible to enjoy fireworks while reducing the risk of injury for both users and spectators.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Choose an open area safely away from buildings, trees and electric wires. Make sure that flying fireworks will not crash into structures once they become airborne. Don't forget to account for the wind.

2. Make sure the area where you are setting the fireworks is flat and free of debris. Move the rest of the fireworks away from the ones you are lighting and only do it one at a time and in an organized manner.

3. Point all flying fireworks in the same direction. Multiple trajectories are more likely to result in accidents or mistakes.

4. Keep the fireworks away from your face. If it is too dark to see what you are doing, use a flashlight rather than pulling the fireworks closer to see the ignition point. Have somebody (another responsible adult) follow you around to provide light while you are lighting the fireworks.

5. Step away from the fireworks as soon as you light them. Even the safest fireworks may malfunction and take off in the wrong direction, causing injuries and burns. Don't bend or kneel next to fireworks once you light them.

6. Point fireworks safely away from other people before you light them. Make sure children are away, pets are secure and nobody is in the path of the fireworks. Better yet, make sure that everybody is safely positioned at least 3 feet away from the shooting point.

Tips & Warnings

• Designate somebody to be in charge of fireworks. Confusion, especially when people are drinking and celebrating, can lead to injuries. The same is true if there are a variety of fireworks and several people decide to light them at the same time. Establish some kind of order and things are more likely to work out fine.
• Use long matches to light fireworks, so your hands are at a safer distance.
• Don't allow children to light fireworks.
• Don't relight fireworks. If they fail to work the first time around, discard them.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to control flares or fires.
• Don't smoke near fireworks, even after they have been used. There may still be some ignition or explosive powder left in them.