New Year with a spark: experts told whether there is safe pyrotechnics

We hear too often the phrase “source of increased danger” about cars and many other things. In the case of pyrotechnics, these words are not empty words at all: fires and serious injuries are not at all what anyone could wish for themselves on the New Year.

“First of all, it must be taken into account that absolutely safe pyrotechnics simply do not exist,” MK was told in the Moscow Regional Security Department. “Even ordinary sparklers can seriously injure a hand or an eye, but what’s there – an accident can happen with simple matches. With this caveat in mind, the relative danger of pyrotechnics is reflected in its class, which is always indicated on the packaging.

In total, there are five classes of pyrotechnics in Russia, the interlocutor of MK recalled. At the same time, products of the fourth and fifth hazard classes are professional pyrotechnics, which can only be used in agreement with the regional authorities and only by certified specialists. There should not be such products in civilian circulation.

“Products of the third hazard class are a reason to treat them with extreme caution,” the department added. – Keep children away from them, carefully study the instructions, especially in the part that concerns the safe distance from firecrackers to people and buildings. It is better to choose a distance with a margin: it is written at least 5 meters, which means that it is better to move 20–25 meters away.

In recent years, the overall safety of traditional New Year’s entertainment has increased, the expert added. Manufacturers are making new models of pyrotechnics safer. The most important thing is that a whole class of crackers has appeared, almost identical in effect to traditional ones, but working without ignition, due to compressed air. However, even with them you need to follow elementary safety rules – for example, do not direct them into the eye.

– No matter how banal the rules may seem to you, repeat and follow them! – emphasizes the interlocutor of “MK”. – There are cases when even pyrotechnics specialists, due to violation of elementary rules, were left without eyes or hands …

Where to buy and how to store

Pyrotechnics are not sold by hand or in an ordinary store – these are the requirements of the law. As experts of the Ministry of Emergency Situations remind, to buy firecrackers or crackers, you need to visit a special store or department in a hypermarket, where proper conditions are provided. “Legal” household pyrotechnics must have a certificate of conformity, as well as instructions for use. Anything sold hand-held without these attributes has not been tested for safety and may cause a fire or explosion.

On the packaging of any pyrotechnics legally sold in Russia, age marking must be indicated. It is reminded in the Ministry of Emergencies, written in blood: if it is written that this cracker or “fountain” should not be given to children, then you should not tempt fate.

Having bought pyrotechnics, it is worth taking care of the conditions for its storage. Of course, they are softer than, say, for hunting weapons, but still they exist. So: keep all pyrotechnics away from batteries and heaters, as well as library cabinets and other stores of flammable goods. Children should not be able to get firecrackers without adult supervision.

And an absolute taboo is to disassemble or somehow modify firecrackers and fireworks. Even a microscopic dose of explosive from an ordinary cracker can seriously injure if this cracker is brought to the face. The Ministry of Emergency Situations reminded: those who really know how to safely work with explosives never do it at home and without the appropriate equipment.

Correction for wind and neighbors

New Year holidays are those few days when many Russians really do fireworks. And even those who do not like pyrotechnics and who are disturbed by it, in general, put up with their neighbors who let off firecrackers. But still, in this case, you need to know the measure – so that, as they once said, it would not be excruciatingly painful and ashamed.

First, about the launch site. Every year in Moscow, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the complex of municipal services determine the locations of sites for the safe launch of household pyrotechnics. As a rule, these sites are located at a distance from residential buildings, their addresses appear on the city portal mos.ru before the New Year. This is due both to the need to protect the ears of neighbors and to safety: there are times when a gust of wind carried rockets “in the wrong direction”, they fell on unglazed balconies or roofs of garages and caused fires.

“That is why, with a wind of more than 5 meters per second, it is better not to use pyrotechnics at all,” the Ministry of Emergency Situations noted in the capital’s head office.

There is a list of places where pyrotechnics cannot be used: these are cultural heritage sites, specially protected natural areas, stages, stadiums, building roofs, balconies and loggias. For these reasons, a seemingly suitable launch zone turns out to be unsuitable – a map of natural and cultural heritage sites will have to be studied in advance.

Example: the Birch Grove park in the Khoroshevsky district of the SAO 20–30 years ago was a favorite site for launching fireworks by all residents of the surrounding streets. However, now it is recognized as an object of cultural heritage and at the same time a specially protected natural area, which means that it is impossible to launch firecrackers in it.

Before starting, read the instructions again and inspect the packaging. At the “start” stage, the most important thing is the dimensions of the danger zone, they must be carefully observed. This perimeter should be free of trees, wires and other obstacles (especially flammable ones). Of course, balconies and attics with dormer windows should also be outside the “defeat” zone.

New Year’s Eve does not include the requirements of the city’s Quiet Law, which prohibits noise from 23.00 to 07.00. And yet, they remind the Department of Regional Security, setting off fireworks at night near residential buildings is a bad idea. Outside the windows of the apartments, small children can sleep (and if the fireworks start, then they can’t sleep anymore).

Every New Year’s holiday in Moscow, alas, becomes a rush for animal activists too: the sound of firecrackers in the city frightens hundreds of dogs and runs away from their owners. Unfortunately, not all of them can be found. Summary: When starting pyrotechnics, be sure to check for pets nearby.

wires and attention

Sources of danger for the New Year may also be in the house. Misfortune, for example, can happen (and regularly, alas, happens!) from an old garland: the wires in the damaged place get very hot, the insulation melts – and a short circuit is ready.

“Light bulbs in garlands should be no more than 25 watts,” they say in the Moscow head office of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. – At the same time, the electric wires that feed the Christmas tree lighting bulbs must be flexible, with copper conductors. Electric wires must have good insulation and be connected to the mains using plug-in connections.

If the garland is faulty (the lights are flashing, the wiring sparks or gets very hot), it must be immediately turned off and forgotten until the very moment the Christmas tree is “undressed”. But by the next season – if we are talking about a collectible antique garland – the device can already be restored on the basis of modern wires (however, this also requires the skill and experience of an electrician).

Finally, so that the Christmas tree itself (even if alive, even artificial) does not become a source of trouble, you also need to remember a number of simple rules. Do not place it close to heating appliances, and even more so to a fireplace or gas stove. Do not cover the Christmas tree with “snow” from a large amount of cotton – without special impregnation, it is very flammable, like paper and cotton toys. Candles on the Christmas tree, as already mentioned, are extremely dangerous and outdated, but other candles in the house (and what a New Year without them!) It is better to provide a “water bath” away from sin. And you can additionally insure yourself against surprises with the help of a fire extinguisher.