How come at firework displays no debris falls down on the crowd?

Question

At this time of year I often find exploded fireworks on the ground that had obviously exploded in the sky and fallen back down. If what goes up must come down, how come at firework displays where dozens of fireworks are being sent up, no debris falls down onto the crowd?

Answer 1

I am a Pyrotechnitian for one of the UK's largest display providers.
When a firework display is booked a full risk assessment is carried out, which includes a detailed risk on wind directions on the day and also on the event date, All fireworks are set at a safe angle so that no debris will fall into the viewing area or onto nearby properties, We take into account wind direction, wind strength (at ground level and up to 600ft), prevalent wind etc, with all this in mind we set up a safe fall out zone for any debris. Hope this has helped. And have a great and safe Fireworks night.

Answer 2

Well, that isn't always the case. If you buy rockets you do get the remains falling out of the sky somewhere nearby, but they go up a fair amount, so they probably won't fall on you.

As for fireworks that arn't rockets. All of the cardboard and other stuff simply gets burnt up into nothingness. Anything that is left is light enough to be carried by the wind.

Answer 3

They usually aim them away from the crowd, but miscalculated fireworks do at times drop debris on the crowd

Answer 4

Oh but it does. The most common injuries are to the eyes and upturned faces of spectators caused by falling debris and embers and, if you are very unlucky, dead birds that have been killed by exploding fireworks.

Answer 5

These are my guesses: they plan it so that the launch site is down wind from the crowd. They design the fireworks so that everything that goes up in the air is either shredded by explosion or burned up.

Answer 6

Do you really think, especially in this sue-happy society, that organizers are really THAT STUPID, as to launch explosives DIRECTLY ABOVE people?

The fact is, due to miscalculation, defective fireworks or gusts of wind, debris does sometimes fall on people.

Answer 7

Debris does fall, professionals angle the fireworks away, but you still can get debris if not done properly........I can vouch for that!

Answer 8

Unless there is a strong wind, it will fall close to launch point. Trust me, debris DOES rain down

Answer 9

sorry to burst your bubble, dear,but,, there is a ball field in Albuquerque where we went to watch the fireworks, the fall out chased us back upon the hill about half the length of the ball field!

Answer 10

It does. I have been to fireworks diplays and been out on a boat watching it, and have had flaming balls from the firfeworks fall on me and burn my arms.