Fireworks for Preps??

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YYCADM21@reddit

I cannot think of a single reason beyond signalling a location, and that would be Much better served using a flare gun, where the flares actually illuminate for a short time. Fireworks have no safety or self-defense application...at all. Light? Same thing; a momentary flash is not going to be of any assistance. parachute flares are only minimally effective, and you'd need a howitzer to fully use them

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Active-Change5378@reddit

If you got kids get some sparklers. I don’t mean it sarcastically. They don’t create any noise and in the right setting something as silly as that could boost overall morale. Could also help keep a fire going if it’s struggling to stay lit. Anything can become of some use. Don’t always know until you need it.

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

No kids but thanks

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offgridgecko@reddit

I like keeping smoke bombs on hand, for various reasons, one of them being clearing rodents out of places I don't wish them to be.

Honestly though, gunpowder stored in paper and wrapped in a thin layer of celephane is probably not the best thing to stockpile.

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PuzzleheadedDirt2427@reddit

Mostly they are somebody's idea of defense after a Home Alone marathon. That said, newish mortar shells could be used for incendiary or flash bang purposes, very dangerous to try and more likely to never be used. However, cheap wireless ignitors can be bought online which you could rig to one or more in your defensive perimeter. This could be a system that buys you a few moments of time to prepare for defense or running. I like options, but the chances of it being an asset instead of a liability are pretty low. If you keep them in an ammo can then I don't see a big risk to storage, but they may burn at different rates and produce unwanted effects (removing fingers and eye sight for example) especially as they age.

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CurrencySingle1572@reddit

Growing up, I found a Roman candle that had been set aside in our garage for over a year. A friend wanted to shoot them off, and thank fake Jesus. I said to wait and lit one on the curb before we tried picking it up. That sucker blew up all at the same time and 1000000% would have obliterated our hands.

TL;DR: I wouldn't try storing fireworks.

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GideonStroud@reddit

Fireworks can have niche prepper uses, especially the louder, flashier ones. I’ve packed a few aerial mortars and screamers in my kit — not for defense, but as emergency signals or to create confusion/distraction if needed.

Imagine needing to draw attention for rescue, or scare off looters in the dark. Not ideal as a first line of defense, but in the right hands, they can be a loud, bright backup. Not a replacement for flares or firearms, but maybe worth a slot in the bag if space allows.

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Zopheus_@reddit

How do you store them?

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GideonStroud@reddit

I vacuum-seal mine in heavy-duty Mylar with desiccant packs to keep moisture out, then store them in a small ammo can that’s clearly labeled and separate from any real ordnance. Keeps things dry, safe, and easy to grab if needed. They’re cheap, light, and loud — just gotta treat ’em with respect like anything else that goes boom.

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Ethan_Pierce_@reddit

Roman candles to light fires and self defense, hit the perp in the face after ignition, burns, blindness. You'll have some time to run

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featurekreep@reddit

Have you ever tried to start a fire with a Roman candle?

Have you ever tried to hit someone in the face with a Roman candle?

Both of these are about on par with recommending a screw driver as a hammer.

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Ethan_Pierce_@reddit

It's hard but it's better than nothing

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featurekreep@reddit

you shouldn't compare it to "nothing," you should compare it to the any number of things you could buy and stock INSTEAD of something that can barely pass the lowest possible bar.

How about a bic? Why the hell would you try to start a fire with a roman candle when you can buy a dozen bics for the same price. How about pepper spray; its cheap, available, and actually works?

"better than nothing" is often worse than nothing. You could make the same argument about a pool noodle.

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Ethan_Pierce_@reddit

I'm obviously not saying just have Roman candles. I'm saying if that's all that you have available, grab it because it will be useful.

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featurekreep@reddit

Actually I'm just going to back up a bit;

If roman candles are all you have how are you going to light them?

There is actually no situation in which you can set off a roman candle AND a roman candle is the best fire starter you have.

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

Love this! Thank you.

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LowBarometer@reddit

Storage of fireworks is a huge liability. IMO this is the opposite of prepping. This is creating a disaster.

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John_Bender-@reddit

Smoke bombs could be good for marking landing sites.

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featurekreep@reddit

Landing what?

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John_Bender-@reddit

Helicopters. You remember when North Carolina recently flooded? Lots of helicopters were called in to aid in search and rescue. Colored smoke is an excellent marker. Prepping isn’t just about being prepared for war or a nuclear attack, it’s also about being prepared for natural disasters.

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featurekreep@reddit

I would encourage people to be hesitant to "mark a landing site" unless they actually know enough to say a landing site is suitable and be in some kind of communication with the helicopter. To me this sounds like one of those "just in case" things that could cause more harm than good outside of a few knowledgeable users.

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PVPicker@reddit

> be me

> power outage happens

> this is the moment I prepared for

> pull out "Big mamma" cake firework

> this will do

> light fireworks

> bang, boom, psssh

> significant other screams "what the fuck?!! did you just set off fireworks inside the house?!"

> i nod

> continue making peanut butter sandwich, amongst the explosions, the colors add a nice flair

> dog has ptsd, significant other is on the phone with her parents

> worth it, 10/10 sandwich

You can get a SC33 5000 lumen flashlight for like $30. Or even a box of 30 minute roadside flares.

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femmemmah@reddit

I cackled. 10/10 no notes

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jnyquest@reddit

You forgot the sparklers.

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OT_Militia@reddit

Maybe as a distraction.

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PuzzleheadedDirt2427@reddit

Not very practical, but you never know. I keep some of the very large mortar shells on hand as an incendiary device or a flash bang (albeit with a high probability of creating a fire). Selco in his books mentions gangs in the Bosnian war often starting fights by throwing grenades or RPGs in windows or yards. Mainly just for shocking their opponent and hopefully scaring them enough to flee or surrender. Not a likely scenario or best tool for the job, but a mediocre tool as an option is better than no option.

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cbaker395@reddit

Id say smoke bombs for cover. But something dark, not bright.

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DisastrousHyena3534@reddit

I think the dangers of storing them far outweigh any benefits

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Connect-Town-602@reddit

The only item I use are smoke generating devices. Many generate a good smoke field and be tossed 30 yards or so.

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incruente@reddit

I can't really think of anything fireworks would be good for that wouldn't be answered better, and often safer, by something else.

Self defense? Firearms, byrna, etc.

Safety? Maybe as markers or signals, I guess, but that's why we have things like flares.

Light? Candles, flashlights, lanterns.

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

Got it! I have all those things, including firearms, I just live right next to the reservation and there’s so many options.

I was hoping there might be something valuable to grab at this time when things are so cheap.

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bhgiel@reddit

Yea me. I can't help but keep some m80s and lady fingers on hand. Its so cheap to keep a bit of a stash, and suddenly you have some Pyro stuff in your prep. Dunno I like the idea. Comes in handy on holidays too lol

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incruente@reddit

Got it! I have all those things, including firearms, I just live right next to the reservation and there’s so many options.

I was hoping there might be something valuable to grab at this time when things are so cheap.

And there probably is, in terms of personal entertainment, for people who like fireworks.

For prepping? Again, not much I can think of. Maybe as some sort of distraction, but the chances of that actually being useful in an even vaguely plausible scenario by someone without a LOT of training seem...remote.

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livestrong2109@reddit

I mean, if the Colt 1860 Army revolver is your idea of home defense. Cheap black powder 🤔

Ps... please dont do this

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gustavotherecliner@reddit

Sparkler powder burns very hot and leaves a pool of molten iron behind.

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

How do you see that is valuable in prepping?

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gustavotherecliner@reddit

Don't know, but having something that can produce a pool of molten iron is always useful.

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H3LI3@reddit

I don’t think you can store fireworks thattt long term. Honestly just buy some in the sale and use them for celebrations each year then replace.

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

I have absolutely no interest in glorifying war and boom booms! I’m just asking for advice for preps and I’ve gotten plenty!9

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H3LI3@reddit

In that case it’s a pretty useless prep that you’d have to replace every year or two

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

Thanks for your 2¢

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Longjumping-Army-172@reddit

I'm going to be frank for a moment. It sounds like you're looking for an excuse to buy fireworks. Just buy them and set them off. Don't use prepping as a justification. It's okay to just have fun.

While I could probably come up with several fantasy SHTF type uses for fireworks (not all legal), there's chemistry and moisture that comes into play that makes them unrealistic as preps. Not to mention that they're hella dangerous to store!

Again...if you want to play with fireworks, just do it! Buy a bunch...set them off. Piss off your neighbors, make their dog piss and shit in the floor and have fun! And, yes. Drink like I am tonight!

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

I have absolutely no interest in fireworks. The last time I had any fun was when I was about six years old. they’re toxic. They pollute the environment and it’s all a bunch of loud bullshit, the glorifies explosions and war.

No, you got me wrong.

I was looking for information about the possibility of using them in my Preps and so I asked around because I live near a reservation and they’re super cheap. I can keep them dry and if shit hits the fan I wanna make sure that I have preps on a lot of different levels.

I bought some smoke balls and some 10 minute smoke sticks for the possibility of using them an emergency situation. (I have flares too in my car) I bought some Roman candles. I have absolutely no interest in Setting shit off.

Many many people have given me great input about the possibilities. One of the women at the booth that I bought some of the fireworks from says she uses these bang pop things that you throw on the ground and they bang really loudly. She said she uses them when she goes out on dog walks to startle inappropriate dogs.

People gave me all kinds of ideas. I’m interested in seriously locking down defense stuff besides firearms, stabbing things, etc..

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Unicorn187@reddit

Maybe some of the starburts could be a last ditch star cluster, or a smoke bomb for signalling.

The smoke bombs might be the most practical thing since getting real smoke grenades became extremely difficult when the fuses were ruled to be DDs like 15 years ago, then when the company making a lot tried to use either batteries or a lit fuse (I think it was a 9 volt but it's been a while), those were ruled HAZMAT and nobody was willing to pay the extra shipping fee so the company folded or stopped making them for commercial use.

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Lethalmouse1@reddit

Depends on how crafty you can be with the powder. Given legalese, boom booms are not all that prep-able. But boom boom stuff that could be used later might be.

If you're actually worried about a full scale situation, the utility might be in "industrial" applications. Stumps, rocks, mining, type situations.

Of course most of that could probably be handled with tannerite, but then again, you have to set that line of sight for shooting.

Can any form of firework be used like a blasting cap? Idk. I haven't studied it.

So certain drop in applications might be better served with a long fuse than a shooting range?

Also, smoke bombs, enolas are probably functionally better, but you can get decent fireworks ones at similar levels for way cheaper, espeically during sales. Might fit the bill..

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olde_carpenter@reddit

I picked up a 10 minutes smoke. Havnt tried it yet

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torrytown@reddit

I have many mortars. They are the only thing I think could be used to help deter miradors. (fireworks wise that is)

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

What are mortars?

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torrytown@reddit

Those big fireworks you shoot out of a tube, about the diameter of a pop can.

In a case of an incursion, maybe instead of shooting them off vertically, maybe a little bit more horizontal.

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Key_Secretary_3948@reddit

You can also top mortars off with cayenne pepper pointed at angle and gass them. But trips and 12g blanks loaded into mortar tubes work better. More velocity coming out of end, and more direct able

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NWYthesearelocalboys@reddit

Decoy, diversion for a defensive counter assault. If you can light then remotely.

Signaling flare if you can get the good mortars where you are if not flares are better at it.

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TexFarmer@reddit

Smoke bombs have an obvious use as concealment.
Roman candles would be good for signaling location.
Firecrackers make excellent tripwire alarms.
Mordars would make an excellent distraction.
Sparklers can be used to ignite thermite.

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hoardac@reddit

I have a bag of them you never know when you need some.

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

Bag of what specifically and how are you using them for preps of self-defense or search and rescue?

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Yandere_145@reddit

I like your idea but it might not work. Firework is not reliable for long term storage. They can become volatile and hazardous over time.

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

I live next to a reservation. I can buy them every year if I want people have come up with some really great ideas and I’m headed over there shortly to see what they’ve got.

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Physical_Package6726@reddit

Magnesium (white) sparklers burn hot enough to start a thermite reaction.

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Sharp-Tax-26827@reddit

I can't think of many uses except for a limited distraction

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

What is a trap ignition?

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Sharp-Tax-26827@reddit

Setting up a trap and then using fireworks as a time delayed fuse to ignite your trap

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

Beyond anything I can comprehend!

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Sharp-Tax-26827@reddit

Some real home alone type traps

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

Well, since I’ve never seen home alone, I’m not really sure about the reference but I appreciate you playing along

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Sharp-Tax-26827@reddit

Just some homemade traps.

You could have gasoline dosed in your room then use a firework to set the gasoline off in a time delayed manner

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Fit-Lion-773@reddit

No

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rokon1961@reddit

I have some Roman candles. If opposition is under cover and it's life or death. I'll burn him out by starting a field with the fireworks down wind and force him out of cover.

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IlliniWarrior6@reddit

get yourself a bundle of 5 minute RR road flares - carry them - they'll be a hell of a lot more useful than fireworks >>> tape some cordage onto some for lashing onto something to toss for distance

if you want to start a firefight correctly - toss a road flare into a car full of guys

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IlliniWarrior6@reddit

thank God nobody is stupid enough to think firecrackers will fake out someone into thinking it was gunfire >>> leave that to Hollyweird ....

fireworks will serve as a distraction - cause some alarm with green troops - hell of a commotion when tied into a tripwire >>> nothing that'll save your azz by itself ....

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Trail_Breaker@reddit

As a general rule I would say probably a very niche use. But I guess it depends on what part of the world you live in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPyqO_pqR-A

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JamieJeanJ@reddit (OP)

Those look like Roman candles! What do you think they’re using if they’re firecrackers how are they propelling them?

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hope-luminescence@reddit

Unless you're looking to attract ATF agents near you, I'm somewhat doubtful of what fireworks that are legal for the average person to own would be very useful.

The possible exception might be for signalling. But even that would be something where people you are signalling need to know what the signal means.

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Heck_Spawn@reddit

Tripflares are nice.
https://fithops.com/products/12-gauge-perimeter-alarm

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ShortBerry_cake@reddit

Not technically fireworks, but punk sticks could be handy and can be found at the fireworks stand. You can use them to light other things that you don't want to get too close to. A lot of people say they help keep mosquitoes away, though I haven't tried it myself.

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Few-Cucumber-413@reddit

I agree with what most are saying here. I do think there are cases where they could be useful, however the practicality of it drastically drops when you consider the three most likely things to happen (Natural disaster, civil unrest, infrastructure breakdown failure). If you live in a area with any kind of elevated terrain, the practical uses are basically zero.

I have successfully blended my hobby of radios with pyrotechnics to be able to remotely initiate ignition of smoke and mortar type devices. But again super super niche and not worth factoring in as a serious prep.

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