When you set off fireworks, either for an event or for personal recreational use, there may be one or more duds or misfires in your batch of fireworks. It is important to know how to safely deal with these fireworks to avoid injury to yourself and those around you as well as potential damage to property. Below are five tips for preparing for and dealing with duds and misfires.
Know the Difference Between a Dud and a Misfire
Duds and misfires are similar. However, a dud is a firework that leaves the ground and does not go off properly while it is in the sky, and a misfire is a firework that does not properly ignite while it is still on the ground. While the procedure for dealing with duds and misfires is relatively similar, it is important to know the difference so you know what to look for and what potential hazards you face when you are dealing with them. For example, with a dud, you will need to look for where the casing landed, whereas with a misfire, you will have to take extra precautions on your lighting platform.
Be Prepared for Duds and Misfires
If you purchase your fireworks from a reputable dealer, store them in a cool and dry place before you use them, and follow the directions for lighting them, then it is not likely that you will have very many duds or misfires. However, it is important to be ready for duds and misfires. This may include purchasing a few extra fireworks in case you have some duds or misfires. You should also warn people at your event that they should not handle duds if they find them on the ground. Finally, you should have a bucket of water and shovel handy for scooping up duds and a hose available for dealing with misfires.
Give Duds Time to Cool
If a firework is a dud, you should try to take note of where the shell lands. You should then allow the shell to cool completely before you approach it. Generally, at least twenty minutes of waiting is recommended. Then you should scoop up the dud with a shovel and place it in a bucket of water, making sure that it is fully submerged as opposed to floating on top of the water. You may want to finish setting off all of your fireworks before you begin dealing with duds, but make sure to remind guests not to touch any firework debris.
Deal With Misfires Immediately
Misfires create a dangerous area on your launch platform, so they should be dealt with before you continue lighting other fireworks. You should not try to relight a misfire, and you should never walk in front of a misfire or lean over it to see what is wrong. Instead, take a hose with a gentle stream of water and soak the misfire in order to put out any embers still in the firework. Then, carefully put the misfire in a bucket of water, making sure it is fully submerged.
Do a Final Sweep In the Morning
The morning after you set off fireworks, you should do a final sweep of the area to make sure you have picked up all of the debris and properly dealt with any duds. If you have been launching over water, you should check the banks of the water where any duds may have floated to. While most duds will sink before reaching the shore, it is possible for one to reach the shore and create a hazardous situation.
One of the most important aspects of fire safety is having a plan to deal with duds and misfires. This can help keep you and your guests safe.
For more information, talk with a fireworks supplier, such as Fireworks Fantasy, directly.
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