One adult lights, everyone else watches
Pick one sober adult to run the show. Everyone else stays behind a line you set on the ground. Kids and pets stay back, and pets are usually happier inside.
Sparklers are hotter than you think
A sparkler burns at about 2,000 degrees. Kids under 5 should not hold them. For older kids: one at a time, arm's length, away from faces and clothing, and drop the spent wire into a bucket of water, not the grass.
Never relight a dud
If a fuse goes out or an item does not fire, leave it alone for 20 minutes, then soak it in water. A short fuse is the most common cause of hand injuries.
Have water and a plan
A charged hose or a bucket of water within arm's reach. Know where the first-aid kit is. If someone is burned, cool the burn with running water for 10 minutes and do not use ice.
Wear the right things
Closed-toe shoes, cotton clothing, and safety glasses for the person lighting. Hair tied back.
Pick the right spot
The best spot is private land outside city limits, with the owner's OK and plenty of open room. Near McKinney, Frisco, Plano or Allen, see where to shoot in Collin County; near Fort Worth, see where to shoot near Fort Worth. Our Texas fireworks guide covers the basics.