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