Fireworks Safety Tips

Have a blast. Keep all ten fingers.

We’ve been lighting up Acadiana since 2008, and every great show we’ve seen had one thing in common: somebody took safety seriously. Here’s how to do it right.

The golden rules

Six rules for every show.

Have an adult in charge

Kids can watch and help pick the show, but an adult should light every fuse.

Light one at a time

Light the fuse at arm’s length, then walk away quickly. Never lean over a firework.

Never relight a dud

If something doesn’t go off, leave it alone for at least 20 minutes, then soak it in a bucket of water.

Keep water close

Have a hose or a full bucket of water within reach before the first fuse is lit.

Aim away from people

Never point or throw fireworks at anyone, and keep your audience well back from the launch area.

Stay sober to light

Save the drinks for the person watching. The person lighting stays clear headed.

Before you light

Read the label on every item. It tells you how to set it up and how far back to stand.

Pick a flat, hard, open spot away from houses, cars, dry grass and trees.

Set cakes on a sturdy, level surface so they can’t tip over mid show.

Keep pets inside. The noise scares them more than you’d think.

Check your parish and city rules and allowed dates.

After the show

Wait before you touch anything. Spent fireworks stay hot.

Soak every used firework in a bucket of water, overnight if you can.

Double bag the soaked debris before it goes in the trash.

Walk the yard in daylight and pick up anything you missed.

Store leftovers somewhere cool and dry, out of reach of kids.

Sparklers and little ones

Sparklers look gentle. They aren't.

A sparkler tip burns at around 2,000 degrees, hot enough to melt some metals. They’re a big part of every family night, so a few simple habits go a long way.

Light one sparkler at a time, and hold it at arm’s length.

Stand kids apart so nobody bumps into a lit sparkler.

Wear closed-toe shoes. No bare feet in the yard.

Drop used wires straight into a bucket of water.

Loading artillery shells

How to fire a reloadable shell

Set the launch tube on flat ground and brace it so it can’t tip.

Drop the shell in fuse side up. Never look down into the tube.

Light the fuse, then walk away quickly.

Wait for the tube to cool before you load the next shell.

Not sure how something works?

Scan the tag in store to watch it, or ask our crew. We’ll show you how to set it up the right way.