I have numerous Coast Guard required hand-held flares, smoke flares and 12 gauge signal flares that are un-used but out of date. How should I dispose of them? What do you do with them? Jeffrey S/V Camille
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Keep them for back up
rockets and flares have a date stamped on them after which they are not to be used. Your boats regulation flares must be within the date. There is no regulation prohibiting you from keeping your old flares as well. The majority of old flares which appear upon visual inspection to be dry and in good condition are perfectly usable for several years after the date stamped on them. Ever crew member should know where they are kept and exactly how to use them. Make sure they read the instructions on all the flares and rockets on board. All flares do not work the same way, and at night it can be hard to decipher small writing. The spares could be used for practice drills as well.
rockets and flares have a date stamped on them after which they are not to be used. Your boats regulation flares must be within the date. There is no regulation prohibiting you from keeping your old flares as well. The majority of old flares which appear upon visual inspection to be dry and in good condition are perfectly usable for several years after the date stamped on them. Ever crew member should know where they are kept and exactly how to use them. Make sure they read the instructions on all the flares and rockets on board. All flares do not work the same way, and at night it can be hard to decipher small writing. The spares could be used for practice drills as well.
If You Practice
If you do any practice drills with the expired flares, etc, make sure you notify the proper authorities. This way they will be expecting and not think someone is indeed in trouble and needing assistance.
If you do any practice drills with the expired flares, etc, make sure you notify the proper authorities. This way they will be expecting and not think someone is indeed in trouble and needing assistance.
Just so you get to know this site a little better-
go to the archives - type in "flare disposal" or "flares" - sit back and read the numerous past discussions on this topic.
go to the archives - type in "flare disposal" or "flares" - sit back and read the numerous past discussions on this topic.
Thank you all ...
... for your responses. Thought you all might be interested, I also got an email from Commander Steven Stilleke of the US Coast Guard Search & Rescue @ Washington DC that directed me to the Boats US article that states: "To date, flares can not be recycled but special care should be taken with their disposal. Throwing flares in your household trash can cause a dangerous situation and setting off old flares can result in false distress reports. To dispose of expired flares contact your local county public works department, police or fire department. Alternatively check with a local boating education group. They often use old flares for educational purposes." Again, thank you for the info re disposal and how to better use this site... Jeffrey
... for your responses. Thought you all might be interested, I also got an email from Commander Steven Stilleke of the US Coast Guard Search & Rescue @ Washington DC that directed me to the Boats US article that states: "To date, flares can not be recycled but special care should be taken with their disposal. Throwing flares in your household trash can cause a dangerous situation and setting off old flares can result in false distress reports. To dispose of expired flares contact your local county public works department, police or fire department. Alternatively check with a local boating education group. They often use old flares for educational purposes." Again, thank you for the info re disposal and how to better use this site... Jeffrey
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