Flare Disposal

[BigPoppaG]

Any safe suggestions on getting rid of flares that have reached their shelf life?

 

[ED21]

Re: Flare Disposal

I always keep them on board(along w/ legal flares) or put them in cars.<br />Once is a while I will test one & they have always lit.<br />I think storing properly is the key.<br />Probably burning or soaking in water before throwing out in the trash would work.

 

[cjones4@hvc.rr.com]

Re: Flare Disposal

I assume you are talking about in the boat. USCG regs state that you must carry flares that have not expired. When mine expire, I buy a fresh set (to satisfy regs) and keep the old ones on the boat also. No rule against having expired ones as long as you have some are not expired.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Flare Disposal

Wait till July 4th and shoot them off if you like.<br /><br />Bob

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: Flare Disposal

Great advice from all. I might just do that Bob_VT. Sounds like fun in the neighborhood. lol

 

[ndemge]

Re: Flare Disposal

...if you live next to water.... might not want to shoot those flares of unless your shooting fireworks with them... don't want coast guard chasing a dummy flare

 

[Bondo]

Re: Flare Disposal

4th of July is a Very Very Bad time to Really Need the Coast Guard....................... <br /><br />I've bought outdated flares from Boatshops,+ Had a Blast on the 4th of July...............<br /><br />Fireworks are Illegal in Ny. state........... Flares are not..................

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: Flare Disposal

Originally posted by Bondo:<br /> 4th of July is a Very Very Bad time to Really Need the Coast Guard....................... <br /><br />I've bought outdated flares from Boatshops,+ Had a Blast on the 4th of July...............<br /><br />Fireworks are Illegal in Ny. state........... Flares are not..................

Always a loophole if you look hard enough.

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: Flare Disposal

Donate them to the coastguard they use them for training exercise's.<br /><br />Failing that in the UK the fire service will take them and dispose of them safely.

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: Flare Disposal

Originally posted by Chris Myers:<br /> Donate them to the coastguard they use them for training exercise's.<br /><br />Failing that in the UK the fire service will take them and dispose of them safely.

GREAT IDEA! <br /><br />Anyone know if they do that in the States?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Flare Disposal

For the last 21 years a group of us guys have spent 3 or 4 days between Christmas and New Years on a fish shack near Boca Grande. We had this discussion one year (about 18 years ago) and sure enough every one of us had old flares. <br /><br />"Has anybody ever lit one or shot one?" "Nope." "Well, maybe we should try some old ones just to see how its done." "OK, good idea."<br /><br />Since it was about 11 at night and in the middle of the week, who's gonna be out here to see anyway? We decided to just light a flare and keep it low and to just shoot a flare straight out and close to the waters surface -- not up.<br /><br />Yep. Signaled up 2 (at least) undercover DEA boats. Seems they had a tip about smugglers coming in and all they were looking for was some kind of signal. <br /><br />Tell ya what -- that rifle the one guy had was no BB gun.

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: Flare Disposal

I would have had to go home and change pants. lol

 

[cuzner]

Re: Flare Disposal

Damn Dhadly... that sounds like a fun experience. 4th of July, birthdays best way to do it, AWAY from the water, thats what I do.I,m sure there are different regs for everybody.. but they are considered explosives.The trash is not the place for them.May even be illegal.you payed all that money.... why not have a little fun.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[KRS]

Re: Flare Disposal

Donate them to the fire department!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />They are always needed.<br /><br />We also launch our annual 4th of July fireworks the more flares the better for lighting the fuses.<br /><br />Old flares make a great wet tinder/wood firestarter for camping/survival.