Whether you are planning a backyard party or a huge wedding celebration, most people overbuy when it comes to sparklers. After all, nobody wants to run out of them too soon! However, that also means that you could end up with a lot of extras on your hands, which can raise a few questions. I’ve already covered the other uses for leftover sparklers in another post, but how long do they last? Do sparklers expire? And, if so, how long does it take before they are no longer useful. Here is a breakdown of what you want to know.
Do Sparklers Rot on the Shelf?
As life always shows us, everything turns to dust if left unused for too long. While sparklers obviously aren’t an exception to physics, they do have a few benefits that make them a long lasting item that rarely ever expires. First off, they are made from inorganic compounds (unless you get ones that are made on a bamboo stick). Inorganic compounds don’t rot or decay like organic compounds, and that means they have a tremendously long shelf life. It doesn’t mean that they’ll last forever, but they aren’t subject to traditional bio-degradation.
Moreover, the main reason that sparklers expire is due to moisture problems. Water is the death of all type of fireworks and should be avoided at all costs. It is very important to store your unused sparklers properly to keep them cool and dry. If you store them correctly, your sparklers will never expire before you get around to using them.
So, How Long Do Sparklers Last Before They Expire?
Imagining you have all the right storage practices and no other environmental factors play a role, you can expect to get twenty to thirty years before your sparklers expire. This estimate goes down if you are storing long sparklers because of the added surface area. Though they can theoretically last much longer, there is only so much you can do to preserve them. Eventually, they are going to dry out too much and crumble, or natural humidity will eventually saturate them to an unusable state. However, with the proper care and storage, they can last for decades. Honestly, if you haven’t used them in twenty years or more, it’s probably time to toss them in the trash.
Things You Should Do an What to Avoid
As mentioned, storing them in a cool, dark, place is vital to maximizing their shelf life. The more you can control the environment, the better it is going to turn out. If you can keep it at around 35% relative humidity at all times, that is going to keep them dry enough to work properly yet moist enough not to dry out. This balance is vital if you want them to last for several years.
The most important thing to avoid is products made from wood such as bamboo. The idea is to eliminate any and all organic compounds, because they are the weakest link when it comes to decay. Furthermore, bamboo can actually draw in a lot more moisture than the other chemical compounds used in their construction. That means you will be actively getting your sparklers wet during the time they are in storage. Lastly, make sure to buy a reasonable amount of product for your needs. You obvious want to have a small amount leftover; but having way too many is where long-term storage can become an issue.
So, if you’ve ever asked yourself “do sparklers expire”, you finally have your answers. Eventually, your sparklers will succumb to age like anything else. However, with proper storage techniques, choosing products made with metal handles, and keeping your purchase size reasonable, you’ll never need to experience an expired sparkler. Thanks for reading, and good luck on your celebration!
