Yes, Setting Fireworks Off From Your Roof Is Still A BAD IDEA!

We're getting close to that time of year when everyone is getting ready to shoot off fireworks at all random times of the night. It gets pretty bad here in the Quad Cities, but at some points of the year, almost everywhere has people shooting off fireworks.

According to CPSC, In the calendar year of 2019, there were an estimated 10,000 fireworks-related, emergency department-treated injuries.

Firework Safty

Here are so quick safety reminders:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
  Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishaps.
  Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
  After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

You can learn more here.

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Why Roof shooting is dangerous

While many people are safe, some are not. It's important to remember to stay safe this year and not to have a lapse in judgment. Something that sounds obvious now might not in the moment.

Sometimes it's something small like setting off a firework too close to your house and causing damage to the roof, Golden rule contractors stated,

As roofers, we’ve seen pretty much everything when it comes to “ways your roof can be ruined,’ including fireworks. If you’ve ever performed your own mini-pyrotechnics show in your driveway and watched sparks and debris rain down over your home, you might have an idea of what we’re talking about.

Sometimes a major mistake can have an awful outcome. Setting up a safe and flat spot for fireworks is important, and keeping them away from trees and houses is key, and no matter what... Keep them off of your roof. That could cause some major damage and cost a lot.

I had a friend a few years back whose dad thought it was safest to set a firework off his roof because it was the flattest area. Thankfully there was only slight damage, but my friend's dad did fall off the roof breaking his collar bone. He's okay now.