It’s easy to see why so many people make fireworks an integral part of various gatherings. From birthday parties to family picnics to summertime barbecues, fireworks can help ensure that a good time is had by all. However, in the absence of proper safety precautions, serious injuries, property damage, and other unfortunate outcomes are likely to occur. So, if you intend to include fireworks in your next big gathering, make sure to heed the following pointers.
1 Buy the Right Fireworks
It’s in your best interest to be picky when shopping around for suitable fireworks. For starters, you should make a point of seeking out products from companies that are dedicated to both quality and safety. So, if you’re currently in the market for high-quality rocket fireworks, take care to exercise as much discernment as possible.
You should also abstain from purchasing fireworks that are intended for professional displays. Fireworks of this caliber are considerably more powerful than the ones that are intended for consumer use, and under no circumstances should they be handled by non-professionals. Should you have any questions regarding a firework’s intended use, promptly get in touch with the manufacturer. Additionally, in the event that you accidentally purchase professional-grade fireworks, it is imperative that you avoid setting them off. (It should be noted that such fireworks often come packaged in brown paper.)
2 Require Guests to Keep Their Distance from the Fireworks
It’s generally a good idea for people to put as much distance between themselves and fireworks as possible. Unsurprisingly, the closer people get to lit fireworks, the more likely they are to suffer burns and other injuries. So, in the interest of keeping your guests safe from any firework-related mishaps, insist that everyone in attendance view your firework display from a fair distance.
You can lead by example by promptly placing a safe distance between yourself and any fireworks you light and donning protective eyewear. Furthermore, when lighting a firework, take care to avoid placing any part of your body directly over it, as this may result in burns or a direct collision.
3 Abstain from Lighting Fireworks While Under the Influence
Lighting fireworks while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is never a smart idea. Given that such substances can impair judgment and dull reaction times, it’s in everyone’s best interest that you abstain from lighting – or even handling – fireworks whenever you’re under the influence. So, if you’re intent on making fireworks a part of your next get-together, you’ll need to commit to avoiding drug use and alcohol consumption for the entirety of the gathering.
If you don’t want to stay dry, you’ll need to entrust the task of firework handling to someone who’s willing to abstain from drug and alcohol use. If no such individual is in attendance, simply scrap the firework display altogether. When hosting a gathering that involves fireworks, you have a choice between staying dry and not shooting off fireworks. Handling fireworks under the influence places both yourself and everyone in attendance at serious risk, and if you can’t go without drugs or alcohol for one day, you shouldn’t even bother acquiring fireworks for the event.
4 Always Keep Water on Hand
While your firework display will ideally not involve any fires, you’d do well to embrace the adage “Better safe than sorry.” With this in mind, make a point of keeping water within easy reach whenever you shoot off fireworks. Having a large bucket of water or a powerful hose at the ready will help ensure that any fires are promptly contained and extinguished.
By extension, make sure to thoroughly douse any used fireworks with water before proceeding to approach them or throw them away. In addition to helping you avoid injury, this can effectively stop trash fires in their tracks.
There’s little wonder as to why fireworks are a staple of summertime shindigs. With their bright colors and eye-catching designs, fireworks are able to capture the attention of people of all ages. Unfortunately, when proper judgment isn’t practiced, fireworks can quickly turn a fun-filled gathering into a regrettable disaster. So, if you want to make fireworks a part of your next gathering, it behooves you to prioritize safety above all else. Fortunately, with the help of the tips outlined above, this should hardly prove overwhelming.
