Fireworks Safety

Fireworks Safety

When used properly fireworks can be very safe. When used improperly, fireworks can be very dangerous, causing injury, property damage, or death. Safe use ensures everyone has fun and doesn't provide more ammunition in arguments to further restrict or ban fireworks. Nearly all fireworks accidents can be avoided through correct use.

[Note: Kids and Fireworks - It is possible for children to safely use fireworks, provided they have been properly trained and are carefully supervised by a responsible and experienced adult.]

[Note: Professional Fireworks - Never attempt to light professional/Class B/1.3G fireworks without proper training and professional supervision, construction and fusing can be very different from consumer fireworks and must be fired with different methods.]

Before Lighting:

Purchase fireworks only from legal, reputable dealers - Only purchase from those legally approved to sell fireworks in your area. Fireworks that lack labels and safety warnings are not legal to sell and may be unsafe to use. Don't purchase or light fireworks that appear to be in poor condition (bad fuses, loose/crushed tubes, visible water damage, etc), they may not function properly or safely.

Know what the firework does - Different fireworks need to be set up differently and may require different safety precautions. For example, you don't want to light what appears to be a fountain, only to discover it has aerial breaks once it tips over and shoots at you. Follow all warnings and directions on the label.

Maintain safety distances - Spectators must remain a safe distance away from fireworks. NFPA has a standard of 70' per inch of tube diameter, PGI uses 100' per inch. Fireworks should be used only in open areas away from buildings, trees, or anything potentially flammable.

Have water available - A hose, bucket, or water fire extinguisher should be available to put out any fires that may occur.

When Lighting:

Wear eye protection - Eye injuries are among the most common and easily avoided fireworks injuries. Anyone lighting fireworks or near fireworks should wear ANSI-approved safety glasses.

Firework stability - Fireworks should be stable on a hard, flat surface when lit to avoid tipping. Any cake without a wide footprint must be braced on at least two sides to prevent tipping towards spectators. Shells must be launched from tubes or racks in good condition with stable bases. The weight distribution of rockets make them easy to tip towards the ground and must be launched from something stable enough to keep them pointed skywards. Fountains typically don't need bracing, but it doesn't hurt.

Use only safe materials - Fireworks should never be put in metal, glass, PVC, or anything else that could produce dangerous fragments. [There is an exception here for steel mortars used by professionals, but there is no reason for anyone else to use metal.]

Reach and light - Never put your body over fireworks while lighting, stand just within reach of fuse and be ready to move away quickly. Matches and lighters are not very reliable and encourage getting too close and cupping the flame, torches provide reliable ignition and additional reach. Light fuse and get away.

Keep other fireworks away - Any fireworks not being lit should be kept a safe distance away (ideally in a wooden "ready box") to prevent accidental ignition from stray sparks.

Never hold or throw lit fireworks - Fireworks should only be ignited on the ground or in an appropriate holder or launcher. A quick fuse or dropped firework could case serious injury. Roman candles can explode and should only be used in some type of holder. Sparklers are perhaps the one exception, but must be held from the very end away from the body and NEVER given to small children, who often hold them too close or touch the hot wire afterwards, causing burns.

After Lighting:

Check the area - Sweep for any burning embers, unfired fireworks, or duds. Duds should be soaked in water to destroy. Use special caution when checking spent aerial cakes and mortar tubes (occasionally these may contain an unfired shell). Never put any part of your body over the tube unless you are sure it is clear.

Proper disposal - Ensure no fireworks are still burning, smoking, or smoldering before picking them up. Any of these should be thoroughly doused with water before putting in the trash. If disposing of spent fireworks by burning, keep a safe distance away in case of live fireworks or duds.

Additional Safety Info and Videos:

http://www.pyrouniverse.com/safety.htm
http://www.pyrouniverse.com/show/consumer/howto.htm
http://www.fireworksafety.com/safety_video.html