With Bonfire Night fast approaching, I thought I would share some firework safety tips today.
Fireworks are a lot of fun if used correctly and safely.
Generally, I would recommend going to an organised display, but if you do choose to have your own display, make sure you put these basic safety tips in place.
1. Firework Safety Tips – Avoid Alcohol
- Make sure whoever is lighting the fireworks isn’t drinking alcohol at all.
- Avoid the term firework party when inviting people. I know it might sound more fun than display, but it also sounds like a boozy event. The last thing you want around fireworks is people who have had a drink or two too many.
- If you want to have drinks, try a hot cider or mulled wine for through the fireworks, and serve the other drinks after the display.
- Perhaps compromise, and invite people to a display with an after party.
2. Firework Safety Tips – Know What You’re Doing
- Make sure the person responsible for setting up and lighting the fireworks knows what they are doing and follows the instructions.
- Read the safety information, and ensure it is followed. It might even be policy to get some signage and hang it around to ensure people are extra vigilant. Click for more information on the use of safety signage in the workplace.
- Wear safety gloves from somewhere like unigloves to help to protect your hands.
- Always point the fireworks away from the area where people will be standing or sitting.
- Have a fire extinguisher/fire blanket close to hand. It’s unlikely you will need it if the fireworks are set off properly, but it’s better safe than sorry.
- Have a sand bucket or a bucket of water to put used up fireworks into just to be certain they are out.
- Don’t skimp on quality. If you can’t afford legitimate, tested fireworks from a reputable retailer, don’t buy them. If the deal sounds too good too be true, chances are it is, and the fireworks may not be up to safety standards
- Never hold a firework in your hands to light it (except sparklers).
- If a firework doesn’t go off, don’t bend over it in case it is just a bit slow. Give it a minute or two and when you are sure it is not going to work, throw some water over it from a safe distance before approaching it.
3. Firework Safety Tips – Storage
- Ensure the fireworks are stored safely prior to the event.
- Somewhere cool, with no risk of naked flames or sparks and out of the reach of children.
- Ideally, not in your home.
4. Firework Safety Tips – Children
- Make sure children are wearing gloves when holding sparklers and that they are supervised by an adult.
- Make sure children are watched closely so they don’t wander off into any dangerous areas.
- Make sure children aren’t in the area where the fireworks are stored. Cordon them off if possible.
Don’t Forget Your Pets
Remember, whether you are having a display or not, the noise of the fireworks will scare pets.
- Keep them indoors, and have some background noise in the room with them.
- Don’t leave them alone where possible.
- Bring outdoor pets inside.
Follow these firework safety tips to ensure your Bonfire night goes off with the right kind of bang.
Do you like fireworks? Do you do a home display or do you go to an organised display? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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Fireworks are illegal in Victoria and most of Australia. You must hold a permit to use them. I agree with your safety tips they are so dangerous if handles wrong #anythinggoes
You can buy them pretty much anywhere here, the only restriction is you must be 18!
Great tips. I love fireworks, but stayed in with the dogs this year! My daughters went to a party at a house though and it’s good to make them aware of the safety issues. Thank you for sharing. Alison x #AnythingGoes
Thank you 🙂 I love them too, and I think as long as it’s done safely, a firework party can be lots of fun x
Great tips. It’s such a fun time of year, but it can also be very dangerous if we don’t take care.
#anythinggoes
Thank you 🙂 It is a great time, and by following some simple safety rules, it can remain fun for everyone!
We do them once a year and it scares the hell out of me with all the little kids around- esp cause my husband acts like a total dumbass.
#anythinggoes
Oh, it would have me a bag of nerves!
In South Africa you are not allowed to use fire works within a residential area. You also need a permit to buy them. Sadly that doesn’t always work though! #anythinggoes
In theory, I think that’s a great idea, but like everything else, it just means people buy dodgy ones!
They don’t allow most of the bigger ones to be sold without a liscence here in the States, but they are still not very hard to get a hold of. I think the biggest mistake people make is underestimating how much damage they can actually do #anythinggoes
You can get hold of most of them in supermarkets here! In a way, I think banning them is even more dangerous as people then buy under the counter ones which may not be well made. Yes, I think somehow, because they’re pretty, people forget they are actually a small explosive!
I work for an ophthalmologist, and the worst time of year for them is 4th of July because of all of the firework accidents. People are hurting their eyes all the time. These are great tips! They should hand them out with purchase.
You must see some horrific injuries! Yes, I agree that all fireworks should come with not just safety warnings, but actual advice sheets written in an understandable way
We went to a lovely organised display and I have no objection to people doing them at home as long as the fireworks aren’t too late. Some neighbours of ours had them going off at 10pm – not only is this too late for all of the sleeping children (mine included) my poor cat shot into the house and was cowering behind the sofa for the rest of the evening. A bit of prior warning wouldn’t have gone amiss!
#anythinggoes
Yes, they go off all hours around here. It doesn’t really bother me as I don’t have children or pets but I do feel sorry for people who do. And I agree that it would be nice to pre-warn neighbours if you are having a party that might run a little late
Very good tips! thanks for sharing! #AnythingGoes
Thank you 🙂
Ohmygosh, the sparkler thing. We went to a party earlier this year and a friend handed my now-4-year-old son a sparkler. It was an alcohol induced decision on her part which I did not witness because I was attending to my daughter and he ended up getting burned on his hand. He felt bad but she felt worse. Gloves are a terrific recommendation!
#anythinggoes
Awww, I hope there was no lasting damage! It’s so easy to do these things without thinking and I’m sure your friend felt terrible.
We absolutely love fireworks in our family and my husband and son always put on quite a show for me. These are terrific safety tips that should be remembered. I hadn’t thought to have kids wear gloves when handling sparklers – great point! Thanks for sharing!
#AnythingGoes
I love them too 🙂 The show sounds fun!
We are so lucky. We’ve just moved and our house overlooks one of the best fireworks displays in Kent, so we sat in our guest bedroom and watched the display for free. So much safer than having our own display.
Sally @ Life Loving
That sounds amazing – getting to see the display without having to stand outside in the cold is a definite bonus!
I like watching big fireworks – the official ones, but as for those at homes or on the streets – I wish they were baned. They are dangerous, as for you have written useful and must-follow tips, but it seems some people just don’t get it.:)
#AnythingGoes
I love the displays too – and I agree – it seems that some people just actively ignore the safety warnings and someone ends up hurt.
Some great tips here! We skipped fireworks this year but hopefully next year ben can go to a display with us!
#anythinggoes
Thank you 🙂 Hope you get to some displays next year!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you 🙂