The humble fuse, although invisible to most people during a pyrotechnics extravaganza, nevertheless has a very important role to play in ensuring the success of the program. Therefore, a lot of time has to be devoted to select the right fuse to use as well as the best layout to implement for them.

Fuse safety tips

Whether you are using commercial or home-made fuses you have to stop to think about some vital considerations. Primarily, the fuse wires should be sturdy enough to be capable of twisting, bending and folding without giving out.

Proofed against water and well sheathed

In fuse safety, the components that burn are wrapped in two sheaths of cloth. Each sheath is water-proofed. A final tube of plastic may serve to hold everything in place. Make sure the tubes of the fuse are pliable enough not to tear when they are manipulated. The black powder may pour out of the tube through the tear. If the fuse is lighted, it may stop at that point. Additionally, the spilt black powder can cause mishaps.

Test the fuse line for water-proofing before buying it. Request for a short sample and seal off any open areas with water-proofed adhesives. Immerse the small sample in some water. It should not be soaked when you bring it out of the water. Otherwise, look for something else.

Examine the construction of the fuse you are planning to get. It should be doubly protected against water. Usually a preliminary coat of asphaltum is present. On the outside, a layer of plastic tubing is placed over the cloth sheath. Your fuse is only as good as the extent it is water-proofed.

Easily manipulated

A good safety fuse can be bent and twisted in many contortions without losing its functionality. The more exuberant fireworks shows will require complicated networks of fuse lines.

Gives you time to take cover

The person initiating the display should be given time to provide a safe distance between him and the pyrotechnics from the moment he sets off the show until the moment the first fireworks blast off. This is one of the reasons why safety fuses were made. In this regard, make sure you are not buying quick matches (very fast fuses) instead of safety ones. Quick matches will have the explosions up in the air even before you have turned your back to take cover. One second is all they need to cover 100 feet.

Fuse safety can also be risky

The irony of fuse safety measures is that they are not perfectly safe either. Because safety fuse lines are resistant to water and breakage, they are also extremely difficult to abort once lighted. Even under the water, they will continue to burn towards their targeted explosives.

The importance of a diagram of your pyrotechnics extravaganza cannot be underestimated. So also is a checklist of all the fireworks you intend to use. You cannot be over-careful when you are involved with fireworks. You have to ensure that everything is ready before lighting that match.

You should have a strong and sharp pair of gardening scissors, perhaps even shears, close by in the event you need to cut the fuse quickly.

Author Bio: Jameson Daniels is a writer for skylighter.com check out his musical birthday candles or his sky lanterns or his home made smoke bomb

Category: Business
Keywords: fuse, fuse safety