Firework Safety Manual Stormy Thomas Matthew Noble Chad Harris
Firework Safety Manual
Stormy Thomas Matthew Noble Chad Harris
Table of Contents iii
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... iii
So You Want to Light Some Fireworks…? .................................................................................................. v
Where to start? .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Fireworks on the Internet .............................................................................................................................. 3
Selecting Fireworks ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Fireworks that Scream, Fireworks that Don’t ........................................................................................... 4
What Heights Will you Go? ...................................................................................................................... 5
Age appropriate Fireworks ....................................................................................................................... 6
Know the laws............................................................................................................................................... 9
Find an open area .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Some potential spots that could be used are ........................................................................................... 10
Firework Safety and Guidelines .................................................................................................................. 15
Preparing to Light Fireworks .................................................................................................................. 15
Child Welfare .............................................................................................................................................. 15
Animal Welfare ........................................................................................................................................... 16
Dog and Cat Security ............................................................................................................................ 16
Just for Dogs During Fireworks .............................................................................................................. 17
Just for Cats During Fireworks ............................................................................................................... 17
Creating a Firework Show .......................................................................................................................... 17
Attending a Firework Show ........................................................................................................................ 18
Index ........................................................................................................................................................... 19
Introduction v
So You Want to Light Some Fireworks…? Welcome to the world of fireworks. This manual will provide the user with necessary information to help
them better enjoy the firework season. In the following chapters users will find information on how to
purchase fireworks and where firework retail establishments are located. The manual will detail where
fireworks can be expelled and the best places for such an event. Finally, the manual will provide
information on firework safety. This section is extremely important and needs to studied carefully to
avoid injury or even death. This chapter will detail lighting of fireworks, proper disposal and the
construction of a firework show.
Good luck and enjoy your firework season.
Chapter 1
Purchasing Safe and Fun Fireworks
Chapter 1 3
Where to start? Growing up, everyone remembers the side-of-the-road firework stands that lit your young mind with
excitement as you drove by. Today, there are many new avenues for purchasing fireworks that can
simplify this process.
Fireworks on the Internet
When looking to purchase fireworks, one can leave their house in search for a firework stand, or they can
do it all at home on their computer. With thousands of websites at your fingertips, finding the specific
explosive you want will be no problem this Fourth:
www.onlinefireworks.com
www.fireworks.us
www.superiorfireworks.com
www.fireworkssupermarket.com
www.usfireworks.biz
4 Firework Safety Manual
www.halfpricefireworks.com
www.maylin.net/fireworks
If the internet is not a choice place for selecting fireworks, you can visit a year round firework store. You
may need to use the internet to find the one closest to you, but here you can find the selection that would
be expected online as well as see the firework for yourself.
Selecting Fireworks Before knowing which fireworks to choose, you should take into account these questions:
What is the noise range you are looking for?
How high would you like your firework to go?
Is the firework age appropriate for the user?
Fireworks that Scream, Fireworks that Don’t When considering which fireworks to purchase, the user must take into account the noise level they
should be using. For instance, growing up on a horse farm I had free range to set off fireworks on
occasion. However, Black Cats and screaming fireworks were banned because they would stress the
horses, which could in turn cause injury.
Chapter 1 5
When “big noise” is not an issue then Black Cat’s, Red Devils, Screamers and other like brands are no
problem. When the next door neighbor has a new baby, or the family dog is deathly scared of explosives,
then noise level should be taken into account when selecting fireworks.
What Heights Will you Go? Each firework has a unique range. Some are sessile, or not moving, while others reach high into the sky.
When deciding on a height range, one must take into account county restrictions, overhead coverage, and
local droughts.
The city fireworks that everyone can see are tremendous and in view of everybody because of their high
vertical distance. If you have the vertical space and correct landscape for setting off fireworks for the
whole city to see, then this should not be a concern. However, if you plan on setting fireworks off around
canopies, then you will want either a sessile, or non-moving, firework or one that never leaves the ground.
Even if vertical distance is not a worry, if your local area is undergoing a drought, vertical distance may
need to be shortened in order to prevent fire.
6 Firework Safety Manual
Generic fireworks with low
vertical distance include:
The Volcano
Chasers
Sparklers
Honey Bees
Black Cats
Spinning Tops
Race Cars
Helicopters
Party Poppers
Poppers
Age appropriate Fireworks Age is very important when selecting fireworks. If there will be child in the group they may want to set
off a fireworks as well, so safe fireworks made for their age group would be appropiate. Begin by asking
your firework sales consultant at a stand, or looking up fireworks by age online. Children under the
recommended age should not set off fireworks, and should be accompanied by an adult at all times to
prevent burns and injuries.
Chapter 2
Where to Set Fireworks Off
Chapter 2 9
Know the laws The laws dealing with purchasing and using fireworks vary from State to State. Failure to follow these
laws can lead to a fine, so it is important to know the laws of your state before choosing your location. As
seen in figure 2.1, there are varying degrees as to what types of fireworks are allowed.
The laws can also
vary from county to
county. Information
on county laws can
be obtained at the
county’s website.
Make sure to
check the website!
The county that you
want to set off the
fireworks in could
potentially have
stricter restrictions
than the rest of the
state or a burn ban. Figure
2.2 is Denton County’s
Firework Q&A page on
their website.
Find an open
area Now that you know the
laws, find an open area to
set off the fireworks.
Make sure that the area is
away from objects that
could potentially catch on
fire and create a safety
hazard. This area should
be away from things like
Buildings
Houses
Trees
Grass
Vehicles
Other flammable objects
Figure 2.1
Figure 2.2
10 Firework Safety Manual
Some potential spots that could be used are
An open dirt lot (Figure 2.3)
- A beach (Figure 2.4)
Figure 2.3
Figure 2.4
Chapter 2 11
A empty parking lot (figure 2.5)
Figure 2.5
Chapter 3
Firework Safety and Guidelines
Chapter 3 15
Firework Safety and Guidelines
Preparing to Light Fireworks Lighting fireworks is a fun event but can quickly turn dangerous and even deadly. Please follow these
guidelines when preparing to light your fireworks. Parents should not allow young children to handle or use fireworks.
Fireworks should only be used outdoors.
Always have water ready if you are shooting fireworks.
Know your fireworks. Read the caution label before igniting.
Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.
Wear safety glasses whenever using fireworks.
Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
Soak spent fireworks with water before placing them in an outdoor garbage can.
Avoid using homemade fireworks or illegal explosives: They can kill you!
Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.
Child Welfare Parents should not allow young children to light fireworks. Make sure children are secure and
supervised during the lighting of fireworks to avoid them running toward the lighting area.
Always remember to supervise children while using they are using sparklers. Never allow
children to have more than one sparkler at a time. And instruct them not to wave or throw a
sparkler as it could cause injury. Children should never run while holding sparklers. Sparklers
16 Firework Safety Manual
can become very hot and remain hot after use. Advise children not to touch the metal wire and to
discard in a bucket of water after use.
Animal Welfare Dog and Cat Security
Make sure the dog or cat always has somewhere to hide if he or she wants to, and has access to this place
at all times. For example, under some furniture or in a cupboard. During firework seasons, walk dogs
during daylight hours and keep cats and dogs indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off. At nightfall
close windows and curtains and put on music to mask and muffle the sound of fireworks. If your pet
shows any signs of fear try to ignore their
behavior. Leave them alone unless they are
likely to harm themselves. Never punish or
fuss over your pet when it's scared. Make
sure your cat or dog is always kept in a safe
and secure environment and can’t escape if
there’s a sudden noise. Have your pet
microchipped in case they do escape.
Chapter 3 17
Just for Dogs During Fireworks Close any windows and black them out if possible to avoid the bright lights. Each evening
before the fireworks begin, move your dog to a play area and provide toys and other things
that they enjoy. Ignore the firework noises yourself. Play
with a toy to see if your dog wants to join in, but don’t force
them to play. If you know a dog that isn't scared by noises
and gets along well with your dog, arrange keeping the two
together during the events to help your dog realize there is
no danger.
Just for Cats During Fireworks Make sure your cat has somewhere to hide if it wants to. For example under some furniture or in a quiet
corner. Don’t try and tempt your cat out as this will cause it to
become more stressed.
Creating a Firework Show When creating your own firework show there are considerations
that need to be made. Below is a list of ideas to remember when
creating your family firework show.
It is against the law to carry fireworks in public if you're under 18.
Fireworks must not be sold to anyone who is under 18.
It is an offence to let fireworks off during night hours (11pm to 7am), except on Bonfire
Night (midnight), Diwali, New Year, and Chinese New Year (1am).
It is an offence under the Explosives Act 1875 to tamper with or modify fireworks.
Work out a firing script – decide which firework will be let off at which time and in what
order.
Start with noisy effects and cycles of fireworks at ground level, then mid level, then effects
high in the sky, back to ground level again, ending with a real flourish
Start with set pieces at the front, move on to novelty candles and batteries, to high level
rockets and shells.
Follow the instructions on the labels carefully
Set up the display in daylight and practice the firing schedule at least once beforehand.
18 Firework Safety Manual
Make sure you have a flash light so you can read the instructions in the dark during the
display
Ensure you have enough timber for static pieces, as some may need to be nailed to stakes.
These should be set up in advance of the event and assembled carefully to avoid damaging
the firework or fuse.
Only use launcher tubes for rockets, never use milk bottles, buckets or stake them in the
ground.
Do not use matches or a lighter to light the fuses. Have waterproof matches to light the
portfire.
Do not allow anyone to smoke when handling fireworks or in the firing area when the display
is set up
When setting up, follow the instructions as to how far away fireworks should be placed from
each other
Do not use mortar tubes for more firings than specified in the instructions
Put the last firework in place about 30 minutes before the display to ensure the area is well
guarded to avoid accidental lighting or sabotage. Cover them with plastic bags to avoid wet
from rain and dew.
Attending a Firework Show
The fire service is usually responsible for the public's safety when a large scale fireworks display is
presented. The actual firing of the display is conducted by a trained pyrotechnic operator and crew. These
professionals know and comply with all state and local
regulations. As spectator please remember to:
Obey ushers and monitors.
Respect safety barriers.
Do not approach the firing site.
Do not touch any firework components that fall to
the ground without exploding. Contact a fire or
police representative, or if necessary an usher or
monitor.
Do not take your own fireworks to the show.
Do not light any fireworks while at the show as a spectator.
Sit back and enjoy the show.
Index 19
Index Animal, iii, 16
Black Cats, 4, 6
Burns, 6
Cat, iii, 5, 16
Child, iii, 15
Children, 15, 16
Dog, iii, 16
Droughts, 5
Firework Show, iii, 17, 18
firework stand, 3
Guidelines, iii, 13, 15
Hazard, 9
Injuries, 6
Laws, iii, 9, 15
Red Devils, 5
Restrictions, 5, 9
Safety, v, 9, 15, 18