A bit of wet weather shouldn’t put a stop to your fireworks display. Whether it is raining or the ground is a little damp, if the show must go on, don’t worry it can. In this blog post, we show you how to waterproof fireworks so that there will be no need for any rescheduling.
The simplest method for waterproofing fireworks
One of the simplest methods for waterproofing fireworks is by placing a plastic bag over the firework whilst it is being put in place in the ground. However, whilst this is a quick fix. It won’t always work. In cooler temperatures, i.e. autumn and winter – the most common times for firing fireworks here in the UK, you may find that condensation forms on the inside of the bag and drips down on to the fuse of the firework. Whilst this provides the firework with sufficient protection in light rain and warmer weather, it’s not ideal for Bonfire Night, Diwali and New Year’s Eve displays.
Our preferred method for waterproofing fireworks
Because the plastic bag cover method isn’t suitable for all times of the year, we have perfected our own method for completely waterproofing fireworks. This has largely come off the back of our own frustrations with the weather taking a turn for the worse on days when we have planned to test our fireworks. Rather than rescheduling, we now utilise the following method…
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Find a dry space to begin waterproofing your fireworks, you don’t want to be doing this out in the wet
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Remove the tape or cover protecting the fuse or slit the wrapping to ensure that it is exposed
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At night the fuse can be difficult to see, so to make it easier to see put a sticker underneath the fuse which will show in the dark. We find that white stickers do the trick, however, if you have a fluorescent stick that’s even better
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With the fuse exposed, recover it with a length of sellotape for waterproof protection
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There is no need to remove the paper wrapping or cellophane layer from the firework unless the instructions say otherwise
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To waterproof the entire firework you should then wrap it in clingfilm, ensuring it is completely covered. Be sure to pay attention to all sides, including the base so that no water can seep through
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If it is due to be raining heavily you should be aware that it’s not wise to leave the firework sitting outside on the wet ground, even if covered. Instead, put it in place just before its due to be fired
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To prepare your firing site in advance you can use a stake in the ground to secure the firework with. Close to your firing time, put the firework up against the stake and secure it using strong tape. This will stop it from falling over
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Light the firework through the clingfilm. To light fireworks in the rain, we use portfire firelighters as these are designed to work in all weather conditions, they do not blow out in the wind and are unaffected by wet weather. Whatever the weather, they work!
What types of firework is this suitable for?
Generally, we find this method of waterproofing a firework is suitable for most types of firework.
Unfortunately, the one firework we have found this does not work with is mini missile barrages, as these contain hundreds of little plastic missiles.
However, this does work with fireworks including cake fireworks, fountains, wheels, single ignition fireworks and rockets.
