Search



The Bucket Brigade:
Helping Prevent Unintended Fires Before They Start!

Improper disposal of fireworks is a leading cause of unintended and preventable fires following celebrations. The Bucket Brigade offers a simple solution. By encouraging residents to soak used fireworks in a bucket of water overnight, communities can significantly reduce the risk of trash, vegetation, and structure fires.

This proven program is already delivering results across multiple States and is expanding nationwide ahead of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Bring the Bucket Brigade to Your Community

The Bucket Brigade Program

The Bucket Brigade is a low-cost, community-driven fire prevention initiative designed to reduce fires caused by improper fireworks disposal.

Developed in partnership with fire service leaders, the program provides a scalable model that can be implemented in communities of any size.


Why It Works:

  • Encourages a simple behavior change with measurable impact
  • Reinforces fire safety through visible community engagement
  • Supports your local fire departments with ready-to-use tools and messaging

Proven Results:

  • 18 departments adopted the program in Colorado
  • Nearly 2,000 buckets distributed
  • Documented reduction in fireworks-related fire incidents
  • Expansion into 8 additional States

“During the 2025 season, we saw zero fireworks-related calls tied to personal fireworks use. One of the big differences was implementing the Bucket Brigade program.”

– Colorado Fire Prevention Representative

  To learn more about the Bucket Brigade and how it has been effective in the State of Colorado, watch this brief video:


What You Receive:

  • Implementation Playbook with step-by-step guidance
  • Sample media release and communications materials
  • Social media assets tailored for local use
  • Talking points and program fact sheet
  • Assistance identifying local partners for bucket sourcing
  • Safety stickers for distribution (Limited Supply Available)

Suggested Community Partners:

  • Hardware and paint stores
  • Restaurants and food service businesses
  • Ice cream shops and local retailers
  • Civic and youth organizations

Call to Action:

Download the Playbook and Launch the Program!

Our Mission

The American Pyrotechnics Safety & Education Foundation is a 501 c(3) charitable organization focused on creating fireworks safety and education programs for youth. The goal of this education initiative Celebrate Safely, is to instill in young people an understanding of how consumer fireworks should be used appropriately, discourage the misuse of fireworks, and decrease the number of fireworks-related injuries in the U.S.

   

APSEF Proximate Pyrotechnics Safety Video Series

The American Pyrotechnics Safety and Education Foundation (APSEF), in partnership with the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA), is proud to launch a new video series on the safe use of proximate pyrotechnics. As the industry grows and more events incorporate these effects, proper training, planning, and compliance are more important than ever.

This six-part series highlights the factors behind recent incidents and provides practical guidance to help companies, operators, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) use proximate pyrotechnics safely, responsibly, and in accordance with industry standards. Click here to view the series of six videos!

Donate to the American Pyrotechnics Safety & Education Foundation

Learn Sparkler Safety from Dr. Sparkz

Former CPSC Chair Tenenbaum Explains How Celebrate Safely Programs Educate Youth

Partners with the NFA on Safety

Foundation Treasurer A.J. Burns conducted a session during the National Fireworks Association (NFA) convention to update the NFA membership on the mission and goals of the Foundation. He and other Board members including President Herb Chan, Paul Smith, PGI, and Brandon Corn, Fireworks Over America helped staff an information booth in the NFA trade show to distribute Foundation materials and further engage their membership. We look forward to continued cooperation with the NFA and other industry organizations. 

 Celebrate Safely PA!

During the 2022 & 2023 July 4th season, APA's Safety & Education Foundation partnered with the Burn Prevention Network to launch a consumer fireworks safety campaign in the state of Pennsylvania. The Celebrate Safely PA! collaboration also included PA State Senator Pat Browne and Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego. The campaign's goal was to raise awareness about fireworks safety and ultimately reduce the number of fireworks-related injuries in the state. Point-of-sale safety flyers were developed and a robust media campaign was orchestrated.

Celebrate Safely Activity Books
Fireworks Safety Coloring Activity books are produced by Pyro Novelties in partnership with the Foundation and made available to fireworks companies for purchase and distribution to their customers. This fun-filled and informative 16 paged activity book allows kids to learn about the safe and proper use of fireworks; information they can share with their parents and other adults in their lives. The books feature Professor Sparkz and have been designed to compliment the curriculum kits, videos and other resources currently available on the Foundation's website. Over 400,000 books have been distributed over the past three years and there is a Spanish version to help spread the message of celebrating safely with legal consumer fireworks. 

CO Bucket Brigade
The Foundation is pleased to support the Bucket Brigade initiative of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention Control, Department of Public Safety for this year's Independence Day season. The program stresses only using permissible fireworks, purchased from a Colorado licensed fireworks store, stand, or tent as well as highlights the importance of proper disposal of spent consumer fireworks. The department will be distributing buckets that include stickers with key disposal tips to children throughout the state. We commend the department for promoting fireworks safe use and hope that other states develop similar programs in the future.  

In the Bag for Safety

The Foundation’s “In the Bag for Safety” campaign was successfully launched in 2018 and has distributed well over 1 million shopping bags that include the Foundation’s Celebrate Safety tips - generating thousands of dollars in contributions for the Foundation. Created in partnership with Pyro Novelties, the bags come in two sizes and have a red & blue patriotic theme. We urge retailers to consider supporting the Foundation in 2025 by ordering their bags early Please visit the Pyro Novelties wholesale website for more information.