Safe Firecracker Disposal: A Guide to Preventing Accidents

To discard unused firecrackers, you must defuse them to prevent them from accidentally going off if they come in contact with a source of heat. Before you dispose of them, check with your local fire department or police department to see if they prefer that you give the firecrackers to them for disposal. If neither organization can provide any information, contact the sanitation department about regulations regarding disposal of potentially combustible materials.

Things You'll Need

• Firecrackers
• Scissors
• Bucket
• Water
• 2 small plastic trash bags
• 2 trash bag ties
• Trash can

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Instructions

• 1

  Cut off the string that binds the rows of firecrackers together with a pair of scissors.

• 2

  Cut off each firecracker's fuse. Cut the fuse off as close to the firecracker's tip as possible.

• 3

  Fill a bucket halfway with cold water.

• 4

  Place the firecrackers in the bucket. Let them soak in the water for several hours to make sure they are saturated.

• 5

  Remove the firecrackers from the water. Place them in a small plastic trash bag.

• 6

  Drop the plastic trash bag containing the firecrackers into another trash bag. Tie the bags closed with two trash bag ties.

• 7

  Put the trash bag in a trash can and leave it there until it's time to put the trash out for pick-up.