What You Need To Know Before Setting Off Fireworks: 10 Tips to Stay Safe

It’s in the blood of every American to take awe in the lighting of fireworks during holidays and celebrations. It brings joy and happiness to every person when seeing a beautiful explosion in the clouds. Throughout our history, it seems significant events have always been marked with a sky full of colorful pyrotechnics.

However, at Lady Fireworks, we’ve often heard that fireworks can become a safety issue in a hurry. From losing fingers to houses catching fire, horror stories never cease to surprise us. 

When treated correctly and respected by the user, fireworks are a traditional way to get a party started and put a smile on the face of your guests. To ensure your next celebration is a success, check out these ten safety tips you should know before setting off your pyrotechnics.

1. Pick the Right Location

Picking the correct location to set fireworks starts off our list because of its importance. While it can often be overlooked, choosing a spot conducive to firework safety is essential to ensuring a fun celebration.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 19,500 fires started causing more than $105 million in property damage by fireworks in 2018.

Those numbers have continued to increase over the years thanks to carelessness by fireworks users. The first step you need to take is to find hard and flat ground that avoids trees for at least one square mile. Doing so could save you and any other property around from suffering damage.

2. Get Out after Lighting

One of the easiest ways to be safe when lighting fireworks is to get the you-know-what out of there after setting the spark. Even the most confident pyrotechnic users should never stand too close to the explosion area. 

While it sounds straightforward, many people ignore the danger of even the most minor fireworks and tend to leave their hands, fingers, and feet too close to the burning ignition. 

Light your firework and get moving as quickly as possible for the safest practice. 

3. One at a Time

Another thoughtless but simple trick to keep your next celebration safer is to light one firework at a time. Tying detonation strings onto one another is a surefire way to create danger for you and your family. 

Patricia Taime, the Owner and Founder of Lady Fireworks, says, “the easiest way to stay safe is to use fireworks the way they were designed.”

4. Keep the Kids at a Distance

Kids are in love with fireworks to a fault. The younger they are, the less aware of the danger they can cause, and they are more concerned with how mesmerizing they can be.

While you most likely won’t be able to keep the kiddos away from the fireworks display, it is of the utmost importance until they learn how to take the proper safety precautions.

A classic sparkler burns at an impressive 1,200 degrees. If you’re unaware, glass melts at 900 degrees. Don’t take fireworks of any kind for granted.

5. Avoid Illegal Fireworks

This should go without saying, but we all know if it’s a law, it always seems to be broken. Illegal fireworks often contain too much power, which can seriously damage people and property. There is a reason there are legal limits to mg of powder!

More seriously, illegal fireworks are often made incorrectly, causing duds, which are nothing to ignore and should be carefully considered when picking them up.

6. Leave it to the Professionals 

Of course, the simplest way to stay safe is to leave it to the professionals. There is a reason people specialize in pyrotechnics, and that should not be taken lightly. 

Whether it’s a baseball game on the Fourth of July or a neighborhood get-together, professionals will always be safer. (And in most cases, the show is better anyway!)

As a rule of thumb, only buy your fireworks from licensed dealers and choose models approved by the CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission).

7. Err on the Light Side

The bottom line is don’t be the guy that buys a semi-truck full of fireworks. It’s unnecessary and overkill. 

Buy some party packs and maybe a few large mg packages; this will be plenty to bring a smile to your face and make your entertainment a fun but safe party.

8. Plan Ahead for a Fire

Keeping a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water where you can easily access it is what most firefighters recommend. If you run into a dud or a faulty firework, this simple and cheap safety tip can save you from a 911 call in many circumstances. 

Head to Amazon, and you can find a brand-new fire extinguisher for less than $50.

9. Check Local Laws

Not every state allows fireworks, so one of your first steps should be to check your state, local, and municipal laws. Places like Florida, where it is humid and rains often, are typically the spots where fireworks are always allowed. 

However, wildfires are frequent in dry and cool states such as California, and lightning fireworks are illegal. 

Always know your laws, and please obey them. A wildfire or a house fire is something you will not live down.

10. Stay Sober

According to that NFPA study, the largest percentage of firework accidents and emergencies are caused by intoxication. 

While we know how New Year and the Fourth of July can be, always set someone in charge of fireworks who is sober. You won’t regret waking up in the morning with all your fingers and no property damage.

Check Out Our Worldclass Selection

At Lady Fireworks, we are a family-owned and operated business that has been selling the biggest and best fireworks for over 20 years. 

Even if you need some simple firecrackers or sparklers, we offer the best prices and will guide you in the right direction to experiment with new fireworks. Give us a call today, or visit us online for anything you need!