How to Use Fireworks Safely

Fireworks can make any celebration seem extra special. Learn to use them safely and your party will always be a blast.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Metal Trash Containers
• CPSC- Approved Fireworks
• Buckets
• Matches
• Matches

1. Before purchasing or using fireworks, check whether they are legal in your area.

2. Buy only from reliable vendors selling fireworks that meet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.

3. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place, out of reach of children and pets.

4. Read and follow all instructions on the fireworks label.

5. Select an open area outdoors, away from dry grass, twigs and other flammable materials. If you select an earthen area instead of pavement, douse the surrounding area with water before you begin.

6. Light all fireworks outdoors, with an adult present at all times.

7. Keep a bucket of water nearby to douse fireworks in an emergency, or to put out sparklers.

8. Light fireworks one at a time. Have only one person do the lighting, keeping an arm's length from the tip.

9. Dispose of used fireworks by dousing them with water to be sure they are completely extinguished, then dispose of them in a metal trash container.

Tips & Warnings

• A large, paved space, such as a parking lot, is the best place to ignite fireworks.
• If a firework does not go off after being lit, stay away from it. After several minutes, put it into a bucket of water to soak, then discard it. Do not relight it.
• Never throw fireworks at another person or into a fire.
• Illegal explosives such as M-80s and M-100s account for more than 1/3 of all fireworks injuries.
• Pets are usually extremely frightened of fireworks and may react by bolting.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.

[kint200]

on 6/20/2009 Also, don't use a lighter to set off fireworks, you'll burn your fingers and you need to get too close to the fireworks. Use something called a punk. They are dirt cheap!! Don't shot fireworks with-out them. You can get them here: http://usfireworks.biz/category/punk.htm

[kint200]

on 6/19/2009 Good article. More great safety tips here:

http://usfireworks.biz/safety.htm

on 7/1/2006 Don't use a standard 3 inch long cigarette lighter to light fuses, instead use an Aim N Flame. The fuse throws painful sparks.

on 6/30/2006 In order to prevent tipping over larger ground-based fireworks, keep a few cheap bricks around to place either on the lip of the base or, using more than one, to wedge a larger fountain between to prevent it from falling over and possibly setting nearby grass/building/people on fire. Most mortars have a larger base that allows for weights to be placed adjacent to the tube.

on 6/30/2006 Never hold more than one sparkler together in your hand when lighting them. It turns out that they feed each other. A friend of mine burned his hand (as in hospital visit) because he held three together. Instead of burning slowly, they burned down to his hand in less than a second.

Look up "sparklers" on Google Video or Youtube.com to see examples of just how much heat can be generated by larger bundles of sparklers.