Final Thoughts

For details on the flares and their ratings see the chart below.

What to Do With Expired Flares?

Unfortunately there is no easy answer to this question. Flares cannot be recycled, and special care should be taken with their disposal. Throwing flares in your household trash can pose a danger for handlers and can pollute ground water. Setting off old flares can result in false distress reports and may result in fines and penalties. To dispose of expired flares there are few options:

1. Contact your local public works or sanitation department – some might have house hold hazardous waste days or special drop off sites. You can find waste facilities near you that handle hazardous waste at www.earth911.org.
2. Contact your local police or fire department – it is important to contact them by phone first as they might want to prearrange pickup or delivery.
3. Check with your local boating retailer for the best method of disposal in the local area.
4. Alternatively, check with a local boating education groups such as the Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary. They often use old flares for demonstration purposes

Even the brightest flares (far right) have the risk of blending in with back ground lights at distances greater than 1 mile.

They might be pretty, but these are no everyday firecrackers.