Will hot MS Coast summer make your July 4th fireworks explode? What experts say
The United States’ biggest birthday celebration is right around the corner — and that means in just a few days the sky will be lit up with brilliant firework displays.
But the hot Mississippi Coast weather has some wondering if it’s safe to purchase fireworks, or if the heat will make the fireworks explode spontaneously.
Well, here’s what experts say about that.
Will your fireworks explode in extreme heat?
No, fireworks will not spontaneously explode — even in the hot, Mississippi summer weather.
According to experts at Dynamite Fireworks, the explosive material in fireworks has an auto ignition temperature of 867 degrees Fahrenheit, and that’s much hotter than the Lut Desert in Iran, the Sonoran Desert along the Mexico-U.S. border and Death Valley in California — some of the hottest places on Earth.
How to safely store fireworks
Because fireworks are explosives, they are safety hazards. Fifteen firework-related deaths and estimated 13,000 injuries were reported in 2025, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Here are some tips on safely storing the devices, according to Epic Fireworks:
- Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Avoid storing near heat sources and open flames
- Use special firework storage containers
- Keep fireworks in their original packaging
- Store fireworks upright
- Separate types of fireworks
- Check local regulations for restrictions on the amount and types of fireworks you can have
- Make sure kids don’t have access
- Dispose of damaged or expired fireworks
Firework safety tips
Here are some firework safety tips from the National Safety Council:
- Always check if fireworks are legal to buy where you live
- Never let young children handle fireworks
- Only let older children use fireworks under close adult supervision
- Never use fireworks while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Always wear protective eyewear
- Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
- Never light fireworks indoors
- Only use fireworks away from people, houses and flammable material
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person
- Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
- Never ignite devices in a container
- Do not re-light a “dud”
- Soak spent and unused fireworks before discarding
- Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of fire
