FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS

 

 

CONSUMER FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS

Lighting fireworks is an enjoyable experience. But we should not forget that improper usage of fireworks could be dangerous not only to ourselves but to others as well. We should therefore exert all effort to make sure that we do so in a most responsible manner.

1. Buy only fireworks products manufactured by licensed manufacturers preferably with a proven track record of producing safe, quality fireworks. Do not buy generic fireworks with no labels identifying the manufacturer. Do not buy illegal and illegal sized fireworks.
2. Always read instructions carefully before using the fireworks.
3. Keep away from children. Do not have any kind of fireworks lying around. Do not eat. Children should be advised on the proper usage of fireworks. Strict adult supervision is required for minors to use fireworks.
4. Never drink alcoholic beverages before using fireworks.
5. Keep fireworks away from fire or other lighted flames or cigarettes.
6. Keep fireworks dry. Store in a cool and dry place. Do not store wet fireworks or attempt to dry wet fireworks.
7. Do not pick up unlit/unexploded fireworks.
8. Do not light while holding fireworks in hand specially firecrackers except for hand held pyrotechnics like sparklers.
9. Do not put any part of your body over the direct firing line of a firework, lit or unlit. Light fireworks at arms length and immediately retire to a safe distance.
10. When lighting fireworks, take into consideration wind direction and wind velocity. Do not fire if wind is strong.
11. Do not fire near flammable objects. Do not fire towards other people. Do not fire near your stock of fireworks. Your stock of fireworks should be at a safe distance away from your firing site and should be kept in a closed container where it won't be easily lit by wayward fireworks.
12. Close all doors and windows of your homes during New Year to keep wayward fireworks from entering your house and igniting flammable objects.
13. Always use fireworks as intended. Do not dissect fireworks. Do not assemble your own firework. Trying to get the powder might cause accidental ignition.
14. Always follow the required distances for spectators.
15. Do not fool around with fireworks. Never pull pranks or try scaring people with it.
16. Do not use candles to light fireworks. Use joss sticks, road flares or mosquito coils.
17. Wear eye protection devices like goggles or glasses. Wear cotton or denims. Do not wear synthetic clothing like polyester. Wear shoes and not slippers to protect the feet and wear long and not short pants.
18. Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby to put out fire immediately.
19. If you have doubts as to the safeness of firing the fireworks, STOP.
20. Do not store failed or reject fireworks. Fireworks which fail to ignite or does not perform as intended should never be stored in the house.
21. Open fireworks only when about to use. Never open near any open flames or lit cigarettes.
22. Always clean your surroundings once you finish firing fireworks. Roaming
    children have a habit for looking for unexploded firecrackers.
23. Keep a first aid kit nearby for treatment of burns. When wounded, consult a doctor.

To help you celebrate safely this Fourth of July, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Council on Fireworks Safety offer the following safety tips:

1- Buy Legal Fireworks marked as Consumer Fireworks. Stay away from illegal explosives, and never         experiment or make your own fireworks.
2- Use outdoors only.
3- Always read and follow label directions.
4- Light all fireworks at arm's length. Keep your distance.
5- Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
6- Never go back to a lit firework. Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them.
7- Never carry or put fireworks in your pocket.
8- Never throw fireworks.
9- Keep your pets indoors.
10- Have an adult present. Always supervise children, and never give fireworks to small children.
11- Never smoke while handling fireworks.
12- Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
13- Light only one firework at a time. 
14- Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait at least 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water). 
15- Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
16- If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
17- The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework. 
18- Keep Fireworks in a closed box.

OTHER SAFETY TIPS TO REMEMBER DURING A FIREWORKS DISPLAY
Not to have more than three or four people lighting fireworks.
Not to fire rockets or other aerial fireworks over the heads of spectators.
Not to allow people to bring their own fireworks (Including sparklers).
Not to touch a dud firework for at least half an hour, and then hold it well away from your face.
Never to use petrol or paraffin to light the bonfire.
Not to let children collect spent firework cases when the display is finished.
Not to let anybody into the firing display area either before or after the display except those people responsible for lighting the fireworks.
To make certain that the bonfire is put out completely and litter bins are emptied.

Never give sparklers to a child under 5 
Sparklers, like other fireworks, must be used with care. They can get 6 times as hot as a pan of cooking oil and sparkler injuries have been on the increase. It makes sense to keep sparklers in safe hands. Store sparklers and other fireworks in a closed box in a cool, dry place. Always light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves. Never hold a baby or child if you have a sparkler in your hand. Plunge finished sparklers hot end down into a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt out. They can stay hot for a long time. Don't take sparklers to public displays. It will be too crowded to use them safely.

Children & Sparklers
Never give sparklers to the children under 5 years old - they will not understand how to use them safely. 
Always supervise children using sparklers.
Give children gloves to wear when holding sparklers. 
Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes - they may catch light.
Show children how to hold sparklers - away from their body and at arm's length.
Teach children not to wave sparklers near anyone else or run while holding them.

In an Emergency

Cool the burn or scald with cold water for at least 10 minutes.
Cut around material sticking to the skin - don't pull it off.
Don't touch the burn or burst any blisters.
Cover the burn with clean, non-fluffy material - cling film is ideal - to prevent infection.
If clothing catches fire, get the person to stop, drop to the floor and roll them in heavy material like a curtain. 
Get advice from your doctor or emergency room at your local hospital.
If you are having a bonfire, make sure that the fire is away from fences, garden, sheds, and properties.
Never let your children near the fire and try to cordon off the area.
Never light the fire using flammable liquids such as petrol and paraffin.
Consider the wind direction and other properties nearby such as thatched roofs etc.
Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy.
Make sure there are no aerosols that may explode in the fire.
Make sure the fire is extinguished before going back indoors.
Try to go to an organized display in your area.

Last year over 1,362 people required hospital treatment from accidents involving fireworks. 
At family back-garden displays, sparklers cause more injuries than air-bombs, rockets and roman candles combined.  Half of all firework accidents happen to children under the age of 16. More than 60 under 5 years of age went to hospital in 1997 following a firework accident. Three sparklers burning together generate the same heat as a blow-torch. Hands and eyes are most at risk in firework accidents. 

Most firework accidents are caused at family back-garden displays closely followed by incidents in the street. Fireworks are explosives, but they are also, in the main, consumer products.  
The basis of consumer law is the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). In essence the Act says that items on sale to the general public must be safe for use by the general public, and must be safe in use without any form of training. Due to limitations in the CPA, training cannot be a means of proving competence for potential purchasers of prohibited fireworks under the 1997 Firework (Safety) Regulations. 

The 1997 Firework (Safety) Regulations
The DTI prepared a set of emergency regulations in 1996 which were made into permanent law in 1997. 
Prohibitions: 
These regulations prohibit the sale to the general public of the following fireworks 
1. Shells and shells in mortar.
2. Aerial reports and aerial reports in mortar.
3. Fireworks of erratic flight.
4. "Mini" rockets (which have a well defined minimum size - minimum 300mm length, and 12mm diameter) 
5. Salutes and batteries containing salutes. 
6. Combinations including salutes (except for wheels).


PROFESSIONAL VS. CONSUMER DISPLAYS

Many displays are fired by amateurs using fireworks conforming to the requirements of the 1997 Firework (Safety) Regulations. Some of these shows can be quite extensive and may last for periods up to 60 minutes. The events are usually well established, community, school or club events where a committee has been formed to manage the event and to set-up and fire the display. These organizations usually (but not exclusively) purchase fireworks in the form of "self-fire" kits direct from major suppliers. 

These displays are good fun, and are safe provided that:
A) Thought has been given at the planning stage of the display - including consideration of what to do in adverse conditions etc.
B) The site is suitable for the type and scale of event planned.
C) That the firework operators are completely familiar with their role in the display, the types of fireworks they will be firing, firing technique etc.
Even in the absence of items prohibited in 1997, these displays can still provide spectacular entertainment for the audience.

 
Firework displays fired by professionals are usual where:
A) The site puts extra restrictions on the fireworks that can be used.
B) The display is to be fired in a very much reduced time (maybe as short as 30 seconds.)
C) The budget permits or the display is very large.

Firework professionals are "at work" and thus subject to all the regulations under NFPA-1123. This means that they will usually carry out some form of site inspection with the client, carry out a risk assessment and determine the types of fireworks suitable for the display, and rig and fire the display entirely - leaving the organizer of the event to concentrate on other matters. Professional firers have access to a much wider range of types and sizes of fireworks than the amateur. Often this will mean professional displays require MORE room than an amateur display - but there are circumstances where by careful choice of fireworks a display in a very restricted area can be safe and spectacular.

Safety

"No fireworks display is important enough to risk an injury when conditions are unsafe and nothing puts a damper on an event like an accident. We closely evaluate each site and situation and follow strict safety procedures to provide the safest and most entertaining show available".

Fireworks Injuries

The National Fireworks Protection Association (NFPA) reports that an average of 10,000 hospital treated fireworks injuries have occurred in the United States over the last several years. Each year thousands of adults and children are seriously hurt with fireworks related injuries.

Most fireworks occur around the  4th of July celebration, but are not limited to that holiday. Many other holidays - Pioneer Days (July 24th), Christmas, New Year's, Labor Day, etc -- have fireworks as a part of their celebration.

The stories reported each year are all tragic. Some of these fireworks accidents cause permanent disability and a large number of injuries: especially to children. These accidents include injuries due to senseless, reckless, misuse of fireworks.

The State Fire Marshal's Office would like to remind you that fireworks are explosives, that they are unpredictable, and they can be deadly!

Safety and fireworks go hand – in – hand and safety is equivalent at Elite Pyrotechnics, LLC. Safety is an attitude. It must be cultured and developed. Elite Pyrotechnics has a well-developed safety attitude. An understanding of compliance with laws and safety regulations, together with expert planning and execution, is your assurance of a smooth, safe and entertaining display.

The founding principles and staff of Elite Pyrotechnics have many years of impeccable safety records. These principles have worked with local government agencies, and national and international groups for safety in display fireworks. We have stringent safety standards in all areas, from those working in the magazine to those working each show, and even extending to the personnel involved with clean-up. The company safety standards for working on barges is so stringent that national insurance companies are now using our policies as guidelines for other insured.