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Fireworks are an American tradition. They can provide hours of wholesome, family entertainment, but must be used by adults carefully and safely. 

To ensure the safety of both the audience and those lighting the fireworks, we recommend that you obey the following fireworks safety measures during your fireworks display.

Children Should Not Handle Fireworks

Never let children handle, play with or light any fireworks.  Only adults should handle and light the fireworks.  The fireworks are great family fun and entertainment, but they do burn very hot and are intended to be handled only by adults.

Do Not Use Alcohol With Fireworks

Please do not consume any alcohol or drugs when handling and lighting fireworks.  Fireworks must be used only by individuals who act in a responsible manner and who are not impaired by alcohol, drugs or in any way.  Impairment increases the possibility of misuse and injury to yourself or others. 

Follow The Laws, Use Common Sense

Follow your local and state laws regarding the possession and use of fireworks, and use good common sense at all times in handling fireworks.  Read all fireworks safety tips provided by Phantom Fireworks, all directions, cautions, labels and warnings on each individual fireworks item to understand the product performance and hazards associated with the use of the item before you use it.  Use only those fireworks permitted under the laws of your state or local jurisdiction in which you will be using the fireworks.  If your state of local areas have shooters’ sites, use them.  Never attempt to procure or use professional 1.3G display fireworks without the proper permitting, license, insurance and approved shooting site.

Purchase Your Fireworks From Reliable, Licensed Sources

Purchase your fireworks from a reliable, licensed dealer like Phantom Fireworks in whatever state in which you purchase your fireworks.  Licensed and reliable dealers will only carry products that meet the standards set and enforced by the U.S. Consumer Product Commission and are tested for compliance.  Do not use illegal explosives; do not alter any fireworks device; and do not attempt to make your own fireworks.

Use Fireworks On A Hard Surface

Purchase your fireworks from a reliable, licensed dealer like Phantom Fireworks in whatever state in which you purchase your fireworks.  Licensed and reliable dealers will only carry products that meet the standards set and enforced by the U.S. Consumer Product Commission and are tested for compliance.  Do not use illegal explosives; do not alter any fireworks device; and do not attempt to make your own fireworks.

Brace Or Bury Your Items

You must do what you can to insure the stability of the items as you use them.  Place bricks on either side of an aerial repeater, tube and tall fountain to avoid “tip over.”  Alternatively, you can bury your items half their height in the ground or in a bucket or pail filled with earth or sand.  This will help stabilize the item during performances.

Use In A Clear, Open Area Away From The Audience

Always keep the audience (particularly children) a safe distance from the launch or shooting site.   Light the fireworks in a clear, open area away from buildings, vehicles overhead obstructions and shrubbery.  A minimum clear distance between the launch site and your audience of 35 feet for fountains and other ground-based items and 150 feet for all aerial items is recommended.  You should avoid lighting your fireworks in any area where there is dry grass, dry brush or any flammable items that could catch fire.  Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.  Always use fireworks outdoors.

Keep Clear Of The Fireworks

Never put your head or any part of your body over the top of any fireworks product at any time.  Never look into a tube or any fireworks device to check on the firework item.  Never hold a lighted firework in your hand.  Keep as far from the fireworks as possible when lighting it, and get clear of the products as quickly as possible after ignition.

Use Care In Lighting Fireworks

Always light fireworks products with your arm extended away from you using an extended butane lighting device, a Phantom Pyro-Torch, a punk or a flare.  Light the fuse only on the tip.  Position yourself as far from the product as possible and extend your arm out using the extended lighting device.  This method of lighting will keep you as fas as possible from the fireworks item. Use a flashlight at night so you can see the fuse.  Never use a lantern or other flame-producing device near fireworks for illumination or any other purpose.  Light the fireworks product and get away quickly.  Respect the fireworks products; if used improperly, they can be dangerous.

Use Only One At A Time

Light only one firework item at a time.  Certain products when ignited together, like sparklers, will have a tendency to flare up in an uncontrollable and dangerous manner.

Do Not Use Malfunctioning Or "Dud" Items

Do not persist with malfunctioning items.  Never attempt to re-light, alter or fix any “dud” firework item.  If a fireworks item fails to function when ignited, let it stand for at least 5 minutes, then douse it with water.  The item failed to function for a good reason, so if you then attempt to relight it in a manner not intended, you compound the problem and can create a dangerous situation.  Dispose of the item properly.  You can always return the non-functioning item to Phantom Fireworks for a replacement, no questions asked.

Have A Ready Source Of Water Nearby

Have an accessible fire extinguisher, water supply, hose or bucket of water nearby for emergencies.  A connected hose is best.  During any fireworks shoot there should always be one individual assigned as the fireman, whose sole job it is to be at the ready, watch the trajectories of the fireworks and be alert with a water source for emergencies.  Having a fireman is especially important during dry conditions or when there is dried grass or brush in any close proximity to the shooting site.

Be Cautious In Windy Conditions

Be cautious of lighting any fireworks during strong wind conditions.  Light fireworks with the prevailing wind blowing away from the spectators.  If there is a wind shift during the time you are lighting your fireworks, you should rearrange your shooting site to accommodate the wind shift or stop the shooting until the wind subsides.u should rearrange your shooting site to accommodate the wind shift or stop the shooting until the wind subsides.

Use Care In Handling Fireworks

Use care in handling fireworks and be careful not to drop them.  Do not carry fireworks in your pocket.  Never smoke when handling fireworks.  It is preferable to keep the fireworks in a closed container before you are ready to ignite them.

Be Careful With Fireworks Not In Use

It is important to use great care with fireworks not being used that are in the vicinity of your launch zone.  Sparks from active fireworks can ignite idle fireworks and cause injury.  Cover unused fireworks or put them in a sealed container to prevent sparks from active fireworks inadvertently igniting the idle ones.

Never Use Fireworks As Weapons

Never use fireworks as weapons.  Never aim, point or throw any fireworks at another person or at any property.

Storage And Disposal Of Fireworks

Store fireworks in a dry place away and secure from children.  Dispose of fireworks properly.  Dispose of them by thoroughly dousing them with water, then placing them in a sealed metal trash container keeping the trash container outdoors.  Never store spent fireworks indoors.

Use Fireworks Outdoors

Use fireworks outdoors under safe conditions.  Never use fireworks indoors.

Always Wear Safety Glasses

Safety glasses or goggles are recommended for individuals lighting fireworks and those individuals in close proximity to the fireworks.

Special Reloadable Rules

Never use a wet or damaged shell or launch tube.  Insert shell all the way into the bottom of the tube, flat end down, arrow pointing up.  Never force a shell into a tube. Use the tube that is packaged with the shells.  Use only one shell in a tube at a time.  Wait at least 30 seconds after ignition before loading another shell in the launch tube.  Never ignite a shell outside of a launch tube.  Never take the shell apart.  Never relight a fuse that fails to ignite the device.  The tube should be on a hard, flat surface, properly braced.  Never light a tube on any part of your body.  After lighting the fuse, move a minimum of 20 feet from the launch tube.

Use Caution With Animals

Please be considerate of pets and animals when using fireworks.  Noise and lights of fireworks often frighten some animals, so it is important that you are watchful over pets and animals.  You may want to move or keep animals away from the fireworks or inside during your display.  Playing music or the T.V. can help to distract the animals from the fireworks noise.

Be Courteous To Your Neighbors

Notify your neighbors when you are going to shoot fireworks.  Some neighbor may be a veteran who can be adversely affected by the noise and lights of the fireworks.  Some neighbors may have pets to protect.  Always clean up your fireworks debris, particularly any that lands on someone’s property other than your own.

Do Not Transport Fireworks On Airplanes

It is a violation of federal aviation law to transport any fireworks device or novelty on an airplane.  Please respect the law and do not attempt to carry fireworks onto an airplane or transport them in your luggage.


Phantom Fireworks wants you and your family to have a fun and enjoyable experience with your consumer fireworks, and the only way to insure that you have a safe experience is to follow all of the safety rules.  Please use your consumer fireworks safely.

Consumer fireworks are officially referred to as UN0336 1.4G fireworks.  The products used to be called Class C or common fireworks.  The definitions, standards and rules for 1.4G consumer fireworks are found in Titles 16 & 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

All of the Phantom Fireworks products are tested by the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory, Inc. (“AFSL”)  to insure safety, performance and compliance with the U.S. law and standards established by the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and AFSL for UN0336 1.4G (Class C) consumer fireworks. 

Please remember fireworks safety every time you use fireworks.

© Phantom Fireworks® 2018

Fireworks Safety

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