Exhilarating firework displays can be a boon to any summertime shindig. Whether it’s a company picnic or informal family barbecue, good fireworks can make a fun-filled event even more festive. Still, despite being associated with good times, fireworks can prove very dangerous in the absence of the proper safety measures. One small mistake is all it takes for property damage, personal injury or something even worse to occur, so if fireworks feature prominently into your summer gatherings, it is imperative that you exhibit exemplary firework safety.
Never Try to Re-light Fireworks
If you’ve set off your fair share of fireworks, you’re likely aware of the existence of duds – i.e., fireworks that don’t go off as planned (or possibly even at all) despite being lit. While this can no doubt be disappointing, you must never attempt to re-light a dud. In some cases, duds actually are not duds, which can result in you taking a direct hit and incurring a serious injury – or worse. Again, if you were looking forward to seeing a certain firework light up the sky, being faced with a dud can certainly be a letdown, but minor disappointment is infinitely preferable to injury or death. Not only should you avoid attempting to re-light duds, you should also douse them with water before proceeding to throw them out.
Keep Water on Hand
Even if you don’t foresee anything going wrong with a firework display, it’s much better to be safe than sorry. So, when taking measures to ensure your safety, make sure to procure a steady source of water. As previously stated, any duds you dispose of should be doused with water – and the same is true for all fireworks that have been lit. Additionally, even if a firework hasn’t been lit, take care to douse it in water if you wish to dispose of it. Having a steady source of water within easy reach will also enable you to respond quickly if a firework malfunctions or a small fire needs to be put out. A reliable garden hose or large bucket of water can serve you well in this regard.
Maintain a Safe Distance
After a firework has been lit, you’d do well to quickly put some distance between yourself and the firework. By the same token, you should also avoid placing any part of yourself directly over fireworks when lighting them. You should also encourage any onlookers – especially children – to constantly maintain a safe distance from the action. Just make sure to lead by example!
Only Light One Firework at a Time
Under no circumstances should you light more than one firework at a time. Even if you’ve seen it done at professional displays, that’s no excuse to attempt it yourself. Regardless of how cool you think setting off multiple fireworks at the same time will look, doing so is likely to start a fire and cause personal harm to you and/or the people around you.
Be Discerning When Purchasing Fireworks
As is the case when purchasing any product, consumers should exercise discernment when shopping for fireworks. When searching for mortar fireworks or regular ones, look for products from companies that are known for prioritizing safety and maintaining a high level of quality. Additionally, make a point of avoiding fireworks made for professional displays, as these are far too dangerous to be placed in the hands of people who aren’t pros.
Don’t Treat Fireworks Like Toys
While not regarding fireworks as toys may seem like a no-brainer, a staggering number of firework-related injuries stem from people treating them as playthings. To be clear: You should never point fireworks at other people, fire them off in metal or glass containers or light them indoors.
There’s no denying that fireworks can be a lot of fun. Not only are they affordable on even the tightest budget, they can add an air of festiveness to any summertime get-together. However, as is the case with most sources of fun, failing to prioritize safety can have far-reaching consequences. Skirting proper firework safety measures poses a serious risk to both yourself and the people you care about. As such, if you intend to make fireworks part of your summertime festivities, you’d do well to keep safety in mind. In your efforts to practice proper firework safety, take care to heed the tips discussed above.
