Can You Use Sparklers During a Drought?

With so many of our states facing unprecedented drought conditions, the idea of using sparklers at your wedding can seen foolish. After all, anything that can trigger a fire should be avoided at all costs! However, it can still be extremely fun and safe to use sparklers during a drought as long as you have all the appropriate safety measures in place. This is especially true when using wedding exit sparklers because usually the area is free from most harmful catalysts for a spreading fire. Nevertheless, following all the proper guidelines is a must if you want to stay safe.

Hopefully, most people already know the correct way to handle flammable objects in general; especially during a drought. Obviously, the very first step is to familiarize yourself with all the standard sparkler safety rules before you even consider it. However, beyond the obvious, there are some specific things you need to do to ensure the environment is safe under dry conditions. Here is everything you need to know before you attempt to use sparklers during a drought so you don’t inadvertently cause a wildfire.

Specific Tips for Using Sparklers During a Drought to Stay Safe

The most important way to stay safe when using sparklers under any circumstances is during the preparation. Whether you are using them on the 4^th of July, at a wedding, or any other type of event, being intelligent is crucial. Here are some easy guidelines that will help you have a safe celebration of any sort.

Adhere to the Law

In some places, using sparklers is not legally permitted during dry periods. For instance, in areas like California that have been experiencing extreme wildfires, they have burn restrictions in place. While you may not think that a sparkler is the same as an open fire, the law may disagree with you. Furthermore, there are still risks if you don’t handle your celebration properly. The first, and best, course of action is contacting your local authorities to find out if restrictions exist in your area; and what those restrictions actually entail. If you aren’t allowed to use sparklers, you should listen to your local authorities.

Adults Only

Next, you need to make sure that the people using them are extremely responsible. For large events like weddings or 4^th of July gatherings, it’s important to restrict the use of sparklers to adults. Fortunately, kids can certainly enjoy the show! However, responsible usage is vital when using sparklers during a drought or extremely dry conditions. Furthermore, all adults participating should be sober and alert to prevent any issues. By setting yourself up for success, you can have a fantastic event no matter the moisture level.

Find an Open Area

One of the most common sense rules in regards to using sparklers outdoors is that you should only use them in an open area. Any space with foliage or other obstacles should be completely off-limits. Furthermore, debris such as leaves should be raked far away from the area leaving an obstacle-free environment. By eliminating any major accident-prone situations as possible, you can move ahead much more confidently overall.

Moisten the Ground with Water

In my opinion, the most important safety precaution you can take before using sparklers during a drought is to replace the missing moisture. Assuming you have an appropriate location and its open and tidy, spraying down the grass with a hose can really help mitigate any risks. Obviously, you don’t want the area you plan host your wedding sparkler exit at to be muddy. However, a nice moistening about an hour before your event can go a long way to reduce any potential fire risks.

Have Extra Water on Hand

Water is by far the best tool you have at your disposal to put out a fire. While you shouldn’t use water on chemical, electrical or grease fires, all basic types of infernos can quickly be extinguished with water. So, if you plan to use wedding sparklers during a drought, you need to have an ample supply nearby. Ideally, you will have access to a hose so you can quickly extinguish the flames with minimal effort. However, having a few buckets of water on hand can be helpful, as well. Remember, sparklers burn at extremely high temperatures! So, putting out the fire as soon as possible can make a tremendous difference.

Properly Extinguish and Dispose of Your Sparklers

Lastly, you need to make sure you properly extinguish your sparklers completely so they pose no risk after their performance. Additionally, you need to be careful how you dispose of them to ensure they aren’t an additional fire concern. Sadly, there can be residual combustible powder leftover on the stick, so even used sparklers aren’t completely inert. Particularly in dry conditions, additional precautions should be set into place. Ideally, the spent wires should be tossed into a bucket of water until you can put them into a safe trash receptacle. However, in a pinch, leaving them buried in sand can also be a great deterrent for fire hazards.

Opting for an Indoor Wedding Exit Instead

Of course, the easiest way to avert any potential issues is to avoid the problem altogether. Instead of using them outdoor in dry conditions, consider performing your wedding exit indoors. As long as you choose sparklers that don’t create smoke, they are generally considered safe for indoor-use. Since you can control the environment indoors, the risks posed by a drought are completely mitigated. However, you need to make sure you check with the venue and still follow all safety guidelines. Using sparklers indoors can pose it’s own challenges, by they are much easier to manage than the alternative.

Is Using Sparklers During a Drought Irresponsible?

By far, the safest option is to forego using sparklers during a drought. However, they can be safely used if all the right criteria are met. Obviously, you need to adhere to any local burn restrictions and comply with your state sparkler laws before anything else. Additionally, they must be used in a safe location that is free from anything that could be deemed a fire risk. Lastly, you need to prepare the area by removing debris, wetting it down, and having a source of water nearby. Ideally, choosing an indoor location is probably the best option. Needless to say, using sparklers is always at the risk of the end-user. However, these tips should help keep you safe when dealing with dry weather conditions. In the end, you need to use good judgment and common sense, and take the situation seriously. Good luck, stay safe, and have a great wedding!