Summer is the time for outdoor fun involving fireworks, and with Labor Day on the way, countless people plan displays. If you are among them, heeding the right safety tips protects you and your loved ones.
Fireworks may seem like innocent playthings, but they pack serious firepower. You’re too smart and have too many goals to waste time becoming a statistic, which is why you’re reviewing these tips. Keep safety first by doing the following.
1. Avoid Brown Paper
Fireworks come wrapped in all kinds of vibrant packaging, but leave those wrapped in plain brown paper alone. They’re for professional displays, the type you see at the county fair. You need the correct licenses and permits from officials to use these — setting them off is otherwise against the law in many jurisdictions.
Furthermore, ensure you check fire restrictions before setting off your fireworks display. Even if they are typically permitted, the risk of wildfire during dry conditions may prompt local officials to issue temporary bans.
2. Abandon Duds
You light a firework, and it fizzles. Another application of the trusty lighter ought to do the trick, right? Please, stop and think twice. There may still be sufficient spark to ignite and blow up in your hand. If a firework appears to be a dud, place it in a bucket of water for soaking used fireworks and let it remain there until it is safe to dispose of.
3. Have an Extinguisher Handy
Your bucket of water is handy but insufficient for many blazes. You should always keep a fire extinguisher on hand when lighting fireworks. A garden hose is also wise, as you can quickly dampen embers that scatter in the grass.
4. Stay Outside
You should only use fireworks outside — but walking inside with something in your hand is more common than you think. To prevent accidents, place several coolers of beverages and snacks outdoors so guests don’t have to go in and out of the house when they need a refreshment. As a bonus, your floors stay cleaner, and you don’t have to ask people to remove their shoes if you prefer they don’t wear them indoors.
5. Mind Your Containers
Do not light fireworks in a metal or glass container, as the resulting explosion can send shrapnel flying. It could embed in someone, causing injury or worse. Likewise, never carry fireworks in your pocket — even the small, snap variety.
6. Keep Children At A Safe Distance
Kids have no business around open flames and explosives. However, your little ones will undoubtedly want to participate in the fun. Some forms, like novelty snaps and sparklers, are okay as long as you supervise and handle the lighter.
Once your kids reach middle school, they can move on to more advanced fireworks like cone fountains and ground spinners, but adults should remain in charge of the big display.
7. Light One At A Time
While it’s tempting to twist the leads of fireworks together, don’t do this. You could spark a serious explosion. Fireworks should always be lit one at a time.
8. Get Back
Once you light the fireworks, get out of Dodge. You should remain at least 35 feet away from ground-based versions and 150 feet from aerial ones.
9. Wear Hearing Protection
Fireworks can be loud, scaring pets and people with PTSD. It can also damage your hearing. A package of earplugs costs less than $10 at nearly any hardware store. Those who are sensitive may wish to invest in hearing protection such as what professional shooters wear.
10. Abstain From Drugs And Alcohol
Certain things demand sobriety, including fireworks. Whoever is in charge of the display should remain free of alcohol and drugs, at least until after the grand finale.
11. Learn Proper Disposal
Fireworks can go out with the trash, but you must abide by safety rules here, too. Soak used fireworks in a bucket of water for several hours before wrapping them in plastic and disposing of them. Once you do, ensure your garbage can remains out of your garage and away from any structures, just in case.
Danger-Free and Dazzling Fireworks Displays
The beauty of fireworks makes them worth the risk. Follow these tips for a danger-free and dazzling display that will wow your guests and create only happy memories.
Author Bio
Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief at Modded, where he writes about health and fitness. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for regular updates on his work, and subscribe to Modded Minute for more!