Firework Use Instruction

What do you need to know before buying the fireworks?

 Buy fireworks only in shops. Avoid buying fireworks in markets, kiosks or from your ‘acquaintances’ as you most probably will get uncertified and illegal product. Also, avoid temporary points of firework sales since it employs staff on the temporary basis, which means they usually are not experts of the products they sell, let alone giving qualified advice on the issues of safe use. When buying fireworks, pay attention to the package: it should be neither damp nor torn. If you buy fireworks with a trade name, you will certainly pay money for a quality product since each manufacturer values their name. It is recommended to purchase fireworks in advance so as to avoid all this unnecessary hassle in queues and purchasing anything left on the counters just before the event.

How should you store the purchased fireworks?

Store fireworks in the original container in a dry place. Do not carry them in your pockets. Do not keep them in your car. Do not store fireworks near flammable or combustible materials. Store fireworks out of reach of children.

How to let off fireworks safely?

Fountains. Fireworks fountain is probably the safest product of pyrotechnics that cannot cause any harm if used correctly. The most important moment here is to ensure that fireworks fountain is only sprinkling the fountain but does not fire to the sky. In Lithuania, you can buy such fireworks that first operate as a fountain and later start to shoot to the sky. Therefore, when purchasing fireworks fountain, ask the salesperson about the operation of this firework product.

Batteries. Fireworks batteries are fireworks that shoot multiple times from 9 to 25 and more shots. It is most dangerous to place the battery on the uneven ground so that during the shooting it falls. To avoid accidents, you must support batteries (no matter how big or small, high or low) with bricks or other heavy items. You must observe safe distance of minimum 30 metres (33 yards). Disregard the instructions of the sellers who indicate shorter safe distance.
It is most safe to let off batteries from 50 and more metres (55 yards and more). Therefore, avoid letting off these fireworks in the crowded places.

Rockets. Rockets are the most dangerous fireworks. Letting off incorrectly fixed rocket most often causes harm. It is safest to let off the rocket from a bottle at least half filled with water (for stability). If you insert a rocket into an empty bottle, it can tip over as a result of even the slightest wind and then fall out and explode on the ground.
It is not recommended to stick the rockets to the ground or snow, since the rocket planted too firmly into the ground can never lift off and, therefore, will explode on the ground, too.
It is most safe to let off rockets from a distance of 50 and more metres (55 yards and more). Therefore, avoid letting off rockets in the crowded places.

Display tubes. Display tubes are often used incorrectly. Tubes may not be held in hands. Before igniting, the tubes must be inserted into a bottle, yet this time without water as the damp firework may go out. The bottle may be filled with snow or sand though.

Display tubes can be stuck into the snow or ground by ensuring that they are inserted sufficiently deeply and will not turn over.

Squibs. To sell squibs in Lithuania is prohibited. Therefore, they are unfortunately often sold in markets. Squibs are an especially dangerous product of pyrotechnics that is often lighted while holding in hands. Quality squib may explode within 5 to 8 seconds after lighting. Poor quality product often explodes within 1 to 3 seconds, thus, if there is a delay in throwing the squib away, the accident may happen.

Ground spinners, bees and flying spinners. These are tiny products of pyrotechnics but they usually contain a sufficient quantity of explosives, therefore, igniting them while holding in hands in not recommended.

Cyrkoblitz and superblitz. These ones are fireworks simulating the rocket operation principle. They do not fly so high and there are no unexploded parts such as rocket sticks left after the explosion. Cyrkoblitz and superblitz are substantially dangerous fireworks usually as a result of inappropriate use. Before igniting this product, it must be fastened vertically. However, even when they are used correctly, they sometimes fly along the ground and explode instead of flying up. Thus, it is most safe to let off these fireworks from a distance of 50 metres (55 yards). Also, avoid letting off these fireworks in the crowded places.

How do you need to prepare for the firework display? Depending on the firework type you will use, you may prepare additional “inventory” to avoid unpleasant surprises.

If you are going to shoot batteries, have a few bricks for supporting the batteries; for rockets and tubes you could best find “champagne” bottles, it is usually best to keep a couple of bottles remaining from previous parties. Fill the empty bottles with sand or tiny stones for safe letting off of both rockets and tubes.

After the bigger battery is already used, you may insert a display tube into it (support the battery with bricks). In no circumstances, let off rockets in this way since the battery is insufficiently long to divert the rocket to the sky properly.

UAB BALIONŲ ŠALIS expects these advices to be useful to you and make the firework display a pleasant and interesting job bringing only joy and positive emotions.

Have joyful and safe holiday!