Introduction
Fireworks are one of the most exciting parts of the holiday season. Whether you’re building a display or just setting them off as part of a street party, it’s important to follow some basic safety rules. The following guidelines will help keep you and your family safe as you enjoy all that fireworks have to offer:
Follow the regulations
As you plan your celebration, it’s important to know your local regulations. The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) provides a list of firework laws for each state and territory here [insert link]. If you are unsure about whether or not it is legal to use fireworks in your area, do not light them! Your local authorities should be able to provide information on what is allowed in your area.
Only buy fireworks from a reputable source
- Make sure you know what the firework is capable of
- Buy fireworks that are appropriate for your age and experience level
Only use fireworks that have been approved for public use.
Fireworks that are not approved for public use can be dangerous, and they may contain toxic materials that can cause injury or illness if they are inhaled or ingested.
- In addition to being potentially dangerous, fireworks that are not approved for public use may explode unexpectedly when lit (this is why you should always stay at least 150 feet away from the source of ignition).
Ensure your own safety first.
- Wear safety goggles.
- Stand back to watch the show, and never hold a firework in your hand.
- Never light a firework on your own; always use an adult’s help when lighting fireworks, even if they’re only sparklers!
- Never throw a firework at anyone or any animal, no matter how much fun it looks like it would be (we promise).
- If you give sparklers to children under 4 years old, make sure they are supervised at all times by an adult who knows how to handle them properly.*
Never light a firework on your own.
- Always have an adult present.
- Never light fireworks in the house, even if you think it’s safe.
- Use a fireproof surface and have a bucket of water nearby.
- Don’t light fireworks near other people or animals; keep pets indoors during the holiday season to prevent them from running into traffic or being injured by stray fireworks (or their owners).
- Keep your distance when lighting fireworks–don’t hold them up close to your face!
Use safety goggles when handling or lighting fireworks.
Safety goggles are essential when handling or lighting fireworks, especially if you have children in your care. The sparks and debris that fly off of a firework can damage your eyes and cause injury to the cornea.
- Always wear safety goggles when lighting fireworks. Even if you’re using a professional-grade kit, there’s still risk of injury from stray sparks or debris flying out of the tube when it ignites.
- Wear safety goggles whenever handling fireworks–even if they aren’t lit! This will protect against accidental eye contact with chemicals or debris from unspent shells that may be lying around on the ground after a show has ended (or even before). It also helps avoid getting dust into your eyes while transporting them in containers like cardboard boxes or bags (which can sometimes get punctured during transit).
Never give sparklers to children under age four and always supervise them while they are lit.
Sparklers are not safe for children under age four. Children can choke on the small pieces of hot metal that fall off the sparkler, so it’s best to keep them out of reach until they’re older. Sparklers can reach temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and may cause serious burns or injuries if handled improperly by young children. They also present a fire hazard when lit; keep them away from flammable materials like paper or clothing (or your neighbor’s mailbox).
Sparklers are best left in the hands of older kids who understand how dangerous they can be and have been trained on how to use them safely–and even then only supervised!
Light only one firework at a time, never several at once. And once they are lit, stand back.
- Keep a bucket of water on hand.
- Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from flying sparks, embers and debris.
- Never throw fireworks into the air.
- Stay away from your face and body as much as possible when lighting fireworks and after they have been lit for any length of time (including sparklers).
Never carry fireworks in your pockets or throw them as they can ignite clothing and cause burns.
- Use safety goggles when handling or lighting fireworks.
- Never give sparklers to children under age four and always supervise them while they are lit.
These simple tips can help keep you safe when setting off fireworks this holiday season
- Follow the regulations. Fireworks are not legal in all states and municipalities, so check to make sure you’re in a place where you can legally light them up. Also, don’t buy fireworks that have been approved for public use unless you’re buying them from a reputable source–the sale of illegal fireworks is one of the leading causes of serious injuries every year.
- Ensure your own safety first! Never light a firework on your own; always have someone nearby who can help if something goes wrong (and make sure they’re wearing safety goggles!).
- Never try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks once they’ve been lit; instead leave them alone and wait until they’ve fully extinguished before approaching them again.
Conclusion
We hope you have a safe and fun holiday season. Remember to follow the rules, use caution when handling fireworks and always supervise children when they are lit.