Fireworks Lighting Instructions
The following instructions provide detailed information for setting up & lighting Fireworks Canada Fireworks.
Always read the directions and warning labels on fireworks. All Canadian-approved fireworks have bilingual labels that will instruct you on proper usage.
In addition to the detailed Lighting Instructions provided below, please review our important Fireworks Safety Instructions prior to setting up your display.
Fireworks Safety Government of Canada pdf.
FOUNTAINS: Cone or flat-based fountains (e.g. Powerhouse Cone, Jackpot Fountain, Night Cat) should be placed on a flat, firm surface for lighting. Note: Certain flat-based Fountains should be buried halfway into sand or dirt: if so, this will be indicated on the labeling. If a Fountain does not have a standing base (e.g. Caramel Fountain, Rocket Fountain) then you must place it firmly into dirt or sand before lighting. You do not have to open a Fountain from its cardboard tube or package: simply remove the tape or protective foil from the fuse and ignite.
WHEELS: Wheels must be nailed securely to a fence, post or other support before ignition (nail is included with item). Make certain that the wheel has spinning clearance so that it turns freely prior to ignition. Wheels spray a shower of sparks to a smaller or greater degree depending on the size of the item. It is not recommended to affix a wheel to a tree because of the danger of setting leaves on fire. Wheels may leave a burn mark behind them after use.
Light Fireworks Safely!
ROMAN CANDLES: Candles should always be buried up to half of their length in sand or dirt. Never hold them in your hand. Never aim them at a person, animal or object. The fuse of a Roman Candle is at the top of the item. Remove the covering tape from the fuse prior to ignition.
BARRAGES: Barrages have their wicks at the top, usually taped down. To ignite: plant the firework halfway into the ground, remove the tape and flip the wick up. As with Roman Candles, tear away some of the paper around the wick for easier ignition if applicable.
SOUND SHELLS & SKYROCKETS: Sound Shells (e.g. Air Bomb, Crackling Thunder, Whistle Bomb) & Skyrockets go point-end in the ground. Note the 'UP' marker on the top of the item.
Ignite Fireworks Safely!
Safety Video Sound Shells & Skyrockets with a Spike
MORTAR SHELLS: These plastic-based fireworks are meant to stand freely on a flat, firm surface. If the ground is uneven or frozen then you can place the item on a board or other flat platform. The 'brick method' (depicted at right) is by far the safest way to ignite Mortar Shells, since this will ensure that the item remains stationary and does not tip over. Some people prefer to place these items in a bucket of sand so they can angle the firework slightly (e.g. 10 degrees) to fire over water or away from spectators. If you use a bucket of sand then bury the base of the Mortar Shell into the sand to secure it, leaving the wick exposed. Light Fireworks Safely!
VERTICAL CAKES: The fuse of these multi-tubed, round, triangular or square fireworks (Canadian Salute, Diabolical, Amazing Party, etc.) are either on the top or side of the item, protected by foil paper. In some cases, you can simply place the Cake on a flat, firm surface to ignite. In other cases, however, you must either bury the item halfway in the ground or secure it by surrounding it with rocks, bricks or sandbags to stabilise it and prevent it from tipping. Always read the directions on the firework to determine whether burying is required. If so, then you must either secure the firework in sand or dirt or employ the brick (or sandbag) method depicted at left. Note: You do not have to remove any part of a Cake's packaging in order to ignite it.
ANGLED CAKES: An angled Cake is a Firework that fans out across the sky, as opposed to shooting 100% vertically. You will notice that Angled Cakes are almost always tapered and the bottom and wider at the top--as opposed to (say) the hexagonal, square or rectangular shape of Vertical Cakes. Follow the same safety and usage guidelines as for Vertical Cakes, but with one important difference: Angled Cakes will have a note on one or both of their longer sides that, for example, This side should face spectators for proper viewing. This directive is crucial so that the viewing audience will see the Cake effect from the correct perspective--i.e. so they will see the fanning or left-to-right action of the effects. If you were to put the short side of the Cake toward the audience then all they would see is effects moving toward and away from them, instead of the wide angle.
Safety Video Angled Cakes
SPARKLERS: Safety First!