Pagara / Fire craker	Kishor K. Karnani Managing Director	Marcelo Mercado Sales Executive
Our Store safety fire works container
Safety Store of Fireworks	Safety Service From Fire Department	PGI TRAINING USA
PGI TRAINING USA	PGI TRAINING USA	PGI TRAINING USA
PGI TRAINING USA	PGI TRAINING USA	PGI TRAINING USA
PGI TRAINING USA	PGI TRAINING USA	PGI TRAINING USA
PGI TRAINING USA (Carlos Pyro expert from Aruba)	PGI TRAINING USA	PGI TRAINING USA
PGI TRAINING USA	PGI TRAINING USA	PGI TRAINING USA
PGI TRAINING USA	PGI TRAINING USA	PGI TRAINING USA
PGI TRAINING USA	PGI TRAINING USA	PGI Pyrotechnics Guild International

Monday morning, December 27^th is the first day that fireworks go on sale to the public for one of the islands favorite traditions for the New Year. Like the Chinese, natives like to clear away the old and negative vibes to start the New Year fresh, or maybe they just like to look at the pretty colors. In any case, you will see the night sky filled with pyrotechnics until the final frenzied ignition of thousands of Pagaras at midnight on New Year’s Eve. For those that don’t know, a Pagara is a roll of fire crackers that can be anywhere from 5000 shots, (tiny) to 5,000,000 shots or more. All during December 31^st, from about noon on, you will hear them going off as businesses close their doors for the last time in the year 2004, and set off their traditional pagaras.

If you are staying in a hotel with a high-level balcony, you have a prime spot for viewing all the action. Check with your hotel and watch the newspapers for the professional displays, as most hotels do something spectacular off the beaches.

If you are planning to purchase some fireworks yourself, or have been nagged into it by your kids, here are a few safety tips courtesy of Kishor Karnani of Caribbean Fireworks, one of the island’s only two fully certified Pyrotechnic experts, and a member of the Pyrotechnic Guild International. Kishor has been selling fireworks in Aruba for six years, three under the banner of Caribbean Fireworks, plus organizes and choreographs professional displays.

• Follow the directions on the package!  If a firework says to place in a container and keep a safe distance, do so. DO NOT hold a Roman candle in your hand while the balls are shooting. Be sure you have a secure, stable container.
• Only light a firework by the green time delay fuse. If there is no fuse, do not use it.
• Once lit, if a firework is a dud, and does not fire, LEAVE IT ALONE. It may be wet and smoldering, and can go off.
• Leave a proper safety radius around where you are setting off your fireworks.
• Never light a firework with another firework.
• Never aim or toss a firecracker at another person or animal.
• Always use a lighting stick or “punk” that keeps your hands away from the fuse to light a firework, do not use a cigarette lighter. The longer the punk, the better.
• DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO USE FIREWORKS WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION. According to regulations, you must be over 18 to purchase fireworks.

Be especially cautious with large displacement shells, or what are locally called “Batatas.” These produce the exciting explosions in the sky, and require particular care in handling. If you are unfamiliar with these kinds of fireworks, the experts at Caribbean Fireworks will be happy to instruct you in their proper use.

Guidelines to follow when using “Batatas:”

• Use the special launching tubes that come with the shells, they are free of charge, do not make a homemade variation.
• If the shell does not launch when expected, be patient. DO NOT look down the tube to see what is happening; this is how a man was badly burned last year. If you have a dud, take it to an isolated area, and leave them untouched for at least an hour.
• Do not dispose of duds in the garbage, they may still be smoldering, bury them in the ground.
• Allow a 70 ft safety radius per inch of shell. For example, a 3-inch shell requires a 200 ft safety radius.

The Aruban Fireworks Commission has printed a safety pamphlet that should be handed to every customer when they make a purchase. It is in Papiamento, but you can get a friendly, helpful native to translate. This year the quantity of fireworks available will be far less than in years past, as not only have vendors ordered less, but many shipments have been delayed by increased security in transporting, so if you want to put on a special show it is recommended you do your shopping early.

Fireworks are a wonderful, thrilling part of New Year’s in Aruba, but require caution and proper use. You can put on your own fantastic show with flower box displays that Caribbean Fireworks sell from as little as $20 to $200 for professional level shows. If you need more information or advice, feel fee to call them at 583-0842.