3 useful tips to stop smoke ruining your fireworks display

One of the reasons that fireworks are so impressive is the contrast between the beautiful lights and colours and the darkness of the night sky. Clarity, contrast and definition are crucial to the success of a display, which is why smoke is a fireworks planner’s worst nightmare.

Smoke can obscure the effects of the fireworks and can even cause discomfort (i.e. coughing, watering eyes) for your spectators. Here are 3 ways you can minimise smoke in your next fireworks show:

  1. Only buy good quality fireworks

Not only will you get vastly improved effects and quality if you buy better fireworks, but you’ll also get far less smoke. Cheap fireworks are notorious for producing lots of smoke, which can ruin a display. Products at bargain basement, ‘too good to be true’ prices can also misfire, not fire at all or do unexpected and potentially dangerous things. Only buy from approved, trusted suppliers such as 1st Galaxy Fireworks, which is a long-standing member of the British Pyrotechnics Association and has built up a sterling reputation over 20 years in the business.

  1. Keep a close eye on the weather conditions

The weather can play a big part in the success and safety of your event. Wind is essential to keeping your display as smoke-free as possible, as it blows the smoke away to keep the effects of the fireworks lovely and visible. A balmy summer’s evening may seem perfect for your event, but if there’s no wind – you could end up dealing with a lot of smoke.

If weather conditions create a temperature inversion, you could also experience problems with smoke. Normally, warm air from the ground rises into the cooler air at night and dissipates. In a temperature inversion, warm air actually sits on top of the cool air and this can trap smoke in the atmosphere and spoil the visibility of your display.

  1. Plan your site layout with the wind direction in mind

As we’ve mentioned in the previous point, the wind can be a display organiser’s best friend or worst enemy. You need to keep a close eye on weather conditions to ensure that there is enough wind to blow smoke away from the site. However, you also need to plan your layout carefully so that the wind will blow smoke away from where your spectators are standing. If the wind direction changes in the run-up to your event, you may need a Plan B ready for re-positioning your spectator area. It would be a disaster for smoke to head right for your spectators, as it will ruin their view as well as causing lots of discomfort for them. This is especially important if you are aiming to run a family-friendly event.

If you need help or advice on planning your display and keeping smoke to a minimum, don’t hesitate to contact the knowledgeable team at 1st Galaxy Fireworks. We can also plan and manage displays for you, using our extensive experience to pull off a smoke-free, truly spectacular show to delight your spectators.