Hosting a safe and enjoyable home fireworks show isn’t as complicated as it might seem so read on and learn how to put on a stunning fireworks show.
You don’t need to be a pyrotechnician or have access to professional-grade fireworks to put on a fun and dazzling show.
You just need plenty of space, the right safety equipment, and a stash of commercial-grade fireworks.
Here’s how to put on your own stunning fireworks show at home, using pyrotechnics you can commercially in most states.
Table of Contents
Make Sure You Have the Space You Need
Before you buy any fireworks, make sure you have the kind of space you need to light them off safely, without burning down your neighbor’s house or injuring your audience.
Aerial fireworks can fly 120 feet or more straight up into the sky before they break, so you should have enough space to keep your audience at a distance half as much again as the breaking height of your highest firework.
That way, if the firework tilts or falls all the way over during firing, it won’t be able to reach your audience to cause injury.
You will also need a sizable fallout zone so that the hot debris that falls after the break won’t start anything blazing.
Figure out how big your largest firework break is and make sure your fallout zone is at least that size.
Read the package for aerial break height and break size information.
If you can’t find that information on the package, ask the vendor about it before you make your final purchasing decision.
Be Prepared to Spend Some Money
During the summer months, you can buy fireworks from local vendors who usually set up seasonal tents in shopping center parking lots.
You can also order fireworks online from retailers like Red Apple Fireworks.
It shouldn’t be hard to find the exact fireworks you want, but you should shop around to get the best deals.
Fireworks aren’t cheap, and they go up faster than you might think, so you’re going to need to buy a lot of them to put on a good show.
Plan to drop $300 to $500 on fireworks for your show.
If you’re spending more than $300, you might be able to talk a local vendor into giving you a bulk discount or throwing in an extra cake or mortar for free.
Hoping to save even more money on fireworks for next year?
Buy them at the end of the season, when local vendors want to liquidate their inventory.
Just make sure you store them in a place where they won’t get wet.
Choose Fireworks Based on the Effects You Want to Create
Different kinds of aerial fireworks create different effects in the sky.
Putting together a fireworks display is all about combining the right effects to create a beautiful tableau in the sky.
It’s almost like making a work of art. Make yourself familiar with what the different fireworks effects look like, and spend time thinking about what kind of display you want to create.
Remember to save your best for last – mortar cakes and z-cakes are perfect for a grand finale.
Be Safe
Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to setting off fireworks.
Making sure you have plenty of space is a big part of the equation, but it’s not the only thing you need to do.
You need to make sure the fallout zone is clear of shrubs and trees, bushes, burn piles, fallen leaves, structures, and other fire hazards.
Because fireworks can cause fires, you should have something handy to put them out with, such as a fire extinguisher, a hose, or buckets of water.
Wear appropriate safety gear when you’re setting off fireworks.
Long sleeves and long pants are a must, and you should choose all-natural fibers because they can best protect your skin from hot falling debris and sparks.
You’ll also need a hat with a brim, closed-toe shoes, and safety goggles.
Don’t let kids play with fireworks – not even sparklers, which can burn as hot as 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s a good idea to designate one person as the official fireworks lighter, so that others aren’t put at risk.
When lighting fireworks, don’t lean over them – sparks could fly up into your face.
Stand to one side and light the fuse with a long grill lighter.
You should stabilize your fireworks before lighting so that they don’t tip over and shoot sparks or flame where they don’t belong.
Some people do this by building a mortar rack, while others screw their fireworks in firing order to a length of plywood or a long plank.
Still others plunge the bottoms of their fireworks into a bucket of sand to keep them steady.
Once your fireworks are spent and before you throw the empty packages away, get them good and wet to make sure they’re not still smoldering.
You don’t want to set your trash on fire.
Home fireworks shows are a hallmark of summer and a way to make lasting memories with friends and family.
Just make sure you do it right, and those memories will be cherished for years to come.
And if fireworks are not ideal for one of your children make sure you have a playroom they can go to for entertainment.
