Top Tips for Shooting Fireworks Safely
Fireworks are a great way to celebrate any event or special occasion, and they appeal to people of all ages. Although they look great in the night sky, fireworks can also cause havoc and result in injuries if you don’t pay appropriate attention to safety. Here are some top tips to make sure you enjoy shooting fireworks safely.
Make Sure You Know the Regulations
Before you buy fireworks and go around shooting them you need to ensure you are aware of the laws and regulations in your area. Here in the UK the Government’s website provides great information on the regulations regarding the appropriate use of fireworks. Be aware of these to make sure you aren’t breaking the law.
As well as knowing the laws and regulations, you also need to ensure you read the instructions for specific fireworks. Different fireworks might have different lighting options, for example, thus it is essential to have read this information and be clear on what it means before shooting fireworks.
Have One Person Dedicated For Lighting the Fireworks
It is always best to have one dedicated person that will handle and light the fireworks. This will ensure that they are fully in charge of the process, and it will be easier to ensure everything runs smoothly. Don’t ever light fireworks if you have been drinking alcohol, and never allow children to light them.
If the shooting doesn’t go smoothly and the firework doesn’t light up, don’t ever try to relight it.
Use Appropriate Safety Equipment
Make sure that the person unpacking and lighting the fireworks is wearing appropriate safety equipment. You should have safety glasses to help you prevent eye damage, as well as protective gloves and ideally a high visibility jacket. There should be a bucket of water nearby in case anything goes wrong. You should also make sure that you have a proper launching pad for the fireworks and that the surface is flat and sturdy.
Keep the Right Distance
Make sure that any spectators looking at the fireworks are standing far enough from the launch area. The required distance is 20 to 40 feet away from the launch area. Don’t shoot the fireworks towards the crowd at any point. Alert people if you feel like there is something wrong with the fireworks.
You also need to make sure you keep a big enough distance between the different fireworks. Don’t bring all of your fireworks into the launch area as a spark might fire them all up, like what happened in Edinburgh in 2012. Shoot one at a time and never try to do your own combinations or get too clever with the fireworks.
Ensure You Buy Proper Fireworks
You also need to ensure that the fireworks you buy are from reputable businesses and have been properly tested. Don’t buy fireworks from individual sellers since they might not be legal. You can buy your fireworks from us online or in store, or find a trusted, reputable retailer in your local area.
With these top tips, you can enjoy fireworks in a safe way, whatever the occasion, and really make your celebration a special one.
