What happens when fireworks are done? How to extinguish, properly dispose of them

After all the Fourth of July fireworks are over, what happens next?

How do you safely extinguish and dispose of legal fireworks after the big night in order to prevent accidental fires?

Here’s what to know:

How do you extinguish fireworks?

While lighting fireworks, even legal “safe and sane” fireworks, keep a garden hose handy to douse any fires, Sacramento County advised.

Have a non-combustible bucket filled with water nearby to immediately extinguish used fireworks. Never try to relight a firework that fails to go off.

Immediately douse used sparklers, which can reach temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees, in water to cool down before handling them further.

How do you dispose of fireworks?

The city of Roseville suggests soaking used fireworks in a bucket filled with water long enough to be sure all embers, cinders or sparks are completely out.

Drain the excess water and place the fireworks in a sealable plastic bag. But keep the fireworks damp to ensure they don’t reignite.

Once they’re thoroughly soaked and sealed in a bag, put spent fireworks in your trash bin for regular pickup. Never dispose of fireworks that are still warm, dry or partially ignited.

The San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority suggests cutting off fuses and soaking fireworks for at least 15 minutes, but preferably overnight.

Remember that fireworks or ashes that are still hot can melt your plastic garbage bin, or start a fire.