The Comprehensive Guide to Sparkler Safety

The Comprehensive Guide to Sparkler Safety

Sparklers are an excellent and exciting way to celebrate weddings, parties, farewells, graduations, and so much more. But it’s important to keep sparkler safety in mind when using them. These are not toys and should be used with some caution. Especially when people may be drinking or there are kids around, following a few simple precautions can prevent any mishaps and ensure your celebration goes off without a hitch. This guide is meant to teach you the ins and outs of sparkler safety. So without further ado, let’s get started!

Sparkler Safety Basics

There are just a few things you should know when using sparklers:

1. Designate someone or multiple people to light the sparklers. This will give them the chance to remind your guests (even the rowdy ones) how to use them. Make sure they light them away from any faces and ask them to promise not to wave them around. This will also ensure that all the sparklers are lit at the same to celebrate that special moment.
2. Make sure everyone is standing up when their sparkler is lit and remind them not to sit down. Sitting down with a sparkler is the most vulnerable position to get burnt. Ensure kids (and adults) hold their sparklers an arms-length away from their bodies.
3. While a sparkler can leave a small burn mark that will most likely heel, remind people that they can easily cause holes in clothing. This will make people more cautious because no one wants to burn their rental tuxedo or nice dress. People tend to fear this outcome more than a skin burn.

Properly Lighting Sparklers

While uncommon, this is the moment most accidents occur. Here’s how to properly light a sparkler: 

1. Using a barbeque lighter will ensure the person lighting the sparkler doesn’t get burnt. It’s all fun and games until someone gets a boo-boo. One trick to lighting multiple sparklers at once is for 3 or 4 people to extend their sparklers away from any faces and light them with one flame.

*FYI: Don’t use matches for safety reasons, and because they don’t get hot enough to light the sparklers.

1. Only give out one sparkler per person. Even if kids (and sometimes adults) ask for more, just tell them you only have enough for each person. When people play with multiple sparklers, the chances of burnt clothing or skin go up.
2. This is more of a suggestion - If everyone is standing in two rows for the bride and groom to walk through, designate 4 people to light the sparklers. Have each person start on a different end and light every other sparkler. Tell them to light the person’s sparkler next to them to ensure everyone’s is lit long enough for the married couple to walk through.

Safely Dispose of Sparklers

You’ve spent a long time planning your wedding or event to the tee. The last thing you want is sparklers lying around everywhere. Then everyone will step on them and there will be additional cleanup that takes time and sometimes money. You also don’t want to take the risk of someone dropping theirs on something flammable, which would be an even bigger disaster.  

Even though it’s unlikely anything will catch on fire, it’s still smart to have buckets with sand lying around for guests to put out their sparklers. This will ensure they are all thrown away in one place for easy cleanup, and give you peace of mind that nothing goes up in smoke. You can also use buckets of water if that’s easier for you. Once they’ve been extinguished in the sand or water for a few minutes, you can safely discard them.

Enjoy Your Special Day

We hope this comprehensive guide to sparkler safety was helpful. It may seem like a few more steps than you were anticipating, but it won’t take that long, and you’ll be happy you got those amazing photos walking through your sparkler tunnel. Just remember that sparklers are generally safe and if you follow these precautions, there shouldn’t be anything much to worry about.  

For more information about our Wedding Day Sparklers, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.