Safety Tips

Buy from a reliable source

Most of the time, locating a licensed, reliable firework outlet is no problem.  These stands are usually marked by flags and signs indicating the manufacturer/importer’s name.  Make sure the fireworks that you are buying have labels that indicate a manufacturer’s name and warning message.  These fireworks were made and tested in factories with your safety in mind.

Buy as early as you can

After running fireworks stores for the past few years, I’ve noticed that most people don’t buy their fireworks until Dec 24 or 31.  This is a bad idea not only because it creates huge crowds at firework stands, but by the time you get there, most of the good items are gone – much like doing your holiday shopping one week before Christmas.  This is especially true with fireworks – they are one of the first things to sell out, and people who come to buy them at the last minute often can’t.  Also, getting their before anyone else allows you to ask the stand operator any questions you have about the products.  So if you want to be sure that you’ll get the items you want, get your fireworks before the rush.

Buy assortments

Assortments are the best deals you can get when shopping for fireworks.  Sometimes you can get up to twice as much fireworks for the same amount of money you’d spend on single items.  So if you plan on getting more than a dozen or so fountains/repeaters, or you want to get a wide range of stuff for a backyard display, or just want to get a bunch of fireworks to entertain little kids, consider getting an assortment.

Check for damage

It’s a good idea to examine fireworks prior to purchase before buying them.  Here’s how to do a quick inspection:
-Make sure there’s no water damage: this isn’t a big issue with items in plastic packages, but anything with bare tubes or paper should be checked to make sure that they haven’t absorbed water (indicated by swollen tubes or bleeding ink in the labels).  If it has, there’s a good bet that the firework won’t ignite.
-Look for loose powder: hold the device over your hand and gently shake it to make sure nothing falls out.  Small amounts of brown powder (clay) are ok, but if you see any gray/black/white powders coming out, don’t buy the device.  Loose powder could cause the device to function improperly or not at all.

If you find anything wrong with a firework, just ask for another one instead.  The stand operator himself doesn’t actually have to pay for the damaged device – they usually are reimbursed by the shipping company or the wholesaler.

Ask about product guarantees/dud returns

Some firework stands have a product guarantee and will refund or replace any fireworks that don’t function properly (duds).  However, most places that have full guarantees won’t often advertise it.  Ask your local stand operator if they have such a policy.

Watch out for bogus deals

Some fireworks stalls do not display their pricelist and often charge different prices to different customers. Some salesclerks are often known to charge extra the suggested retail price and pocket the difference themselves. Often costing the clients more money and the result of, losing some clients. Make sure that the store you are buying fireworks from has their pricelist clearly displayed so that you are not being overcharged or being ripped off.

Safety Tips

Buy only from legal, reliable dealers
Before you purchase fireworks, be aware of what is legal in your city, county, and state.  If you are unsure, contact your local fire marshal.  When you go to buy, be sure that the items you are purchasing have caution labels and product numbers on them – this is proof that it was made in a factory and adheres to firework safety standards.

Always follow label directions
Read the label carefully so you know how to properly use the firework.  For example, flying spinners must be positioned with the proper side facing down in order for it to function safely (going up, as opposed to flopping along the ground towards flammables or people).

Only use when adults are present
Most firework injuries happen to children, especially those who are unsupervised.  Fireworks are not toys, and should never been given to children no matter how cute or “harmless” they seem – especially sparklers.

Keep spectators at least 75 feet away from the firing area
If something were to tip over or fly erratically, you don’t want it going near people.

Ignite using a long-handled lighter, torch, or road flare
Matches aren’t very reliable (especially in wind), and punks usually burn out.  In order to avoid long delays in between fireworks, use one of the three devices mentioned above in bold.

Keep supply of fireworks in a safe area
Prior to the day you plan to use your fireworks, store them in a cool, dry area (excessive heat and moisture can ruin them).  When it’s time to light them off, store them in a wooden or cardboard box at least 75 feet from the firing area to protect them from sparks and provide easy access.

Use only in open area
Only use fireworks outside, at least 50 feet from buildings, dry grass, or anything else that could potentially catch on fire.

Never stand over fireworks when lighting
If a device were to accidentally ignite, you would not want to be hit in the face with it.  When lighting fireworks, crouch down at an arm’s length distance and reach out to light it.

Always brace aerial items
Surround aerial items with bricks or put them in cinder blocks to ensure that they can’t tip over.  It is very unpleasant when a repeater tips over and begins firing into a group of people.

Use a flashlight at night
It’s much safer and easier to find the fuse using a light than it is a flame.  You should also use the flashlight to light your path after igniting the firework to be sure you don’t trip on anything.

Keep animals indoors
Even the toughest dogs or cats are terrified by fireworks.  To make the holiday less traumatic for them, put them in a bedroom with the blinds closed, the lights on, and the TV on or a stereo playing music in order to drown out the sounds of whistles and bangs.  Even if you’re leaving for the day to do fireworks elsewhere, doing this is still a good idea to keep them from being scared by neighbors’ fireworks.

Light fuse; get away
If you don’t understand this, you shouldn’t be lighting fireworks.

Don’t hold or throw fireworks
Another large percentage of fireworks-related injuries are those caused by people who hold them or throw them at others.  Sometimes a firecracker’s fuse will burn faster than anticipated, causing it to explode in someone’s hand.  Even a roman candle could have gotten its powder jarred loose during shipping, resulting in a blowout through the casing that could injure your hand.

Don’t modify or relight fireworks
Tampering with fireworks is asking for trouble.  Don’t take them apart and mix the powders – some types of chemicals used in fireworks, such as barium salts, are toxic.  If a burning fuse enters the device but it fails to fire (a “dud”), wait 5 minutes, then destroy it in water.  Sometimes the fuse will appear to burn out, but may actually smolder (known as a hangfire).  Leave the device alone for at least 10 minutes, because at any time the fuse may begin to burn again at it’s usual rate.

Be sure to have water handy
Always have a large, 5-gallon bucket ready to put out any unexpected fires or smoldering items.  Large “super-soaker”-type water guns work great, as well.  They’re easy to carry, have a long range, and can extinguish just about anything.

Douse used fireworks in water
Have another 5-gallon bucket or similar container than you can fill with water and put leftover fireworks in.  This will not only put out any lingering sparks, but will destroy any leftover chemicals inside that may otherwise pose a fire hazard.

Never put fireworks in glass, PVC, or metal containers
An explosion could create razor-sharp shrapnel, which doctors will not have a fun time removing from your body.

Never carry fireworks in your pocket
This could very easily damage the device (fireworks are quite fragile), or a static spark could set it off.

Don’t use old fireworks unless they’ve been kept safe
Fireworks can keep well for years as long as they’re kept in a cool, dry place and aren’t constantly being handled..  Any jostling or handing that a firework may have gone through in the course of a year can cause powder to leak, resulting in air pockets in the tubes.  These air pockets can act as tiny combustion chambers and cause an unexpected explosion.

Clean up when the show is over
Always be sure to leave the shooting area just as it was before the show.  Leftover fireworks may have unburned powder that could be a fire hazard or health hazard to small children and animals.

14. Minimum Distances from Spectators

All devices (Consumer / Professional ), when ignited, shall be separated from the main body of spectators by a safe distance which is determined solely by these Guidelines.