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Marine flares are an important piece of safety equipment to have on board, but because they contain pyrotechnic materials, they need to be stored, inspected, and disposed of properly.
Keep flares dry, protected, and somewhere they can be reached quickly in an emergency. Check them regularly for expiration dates and signs of damage, corrosion or moisture, and replace any flares that are no longer in good condition.
When it is time to get rid of old flares or flares you no longer need, do not simply toss them in the trash. Flares should never be burned, taken apart, thrown in water, or fired just to dispose of them. Disposal options vary by location, so check with your local household hazardous waste program, fire department, law enforcement agency, or the flare manufacturer to find out how to safely dispose of them in your area.
Why Marine Flares Need Special Handling
Marine flares are designed to ignite quickly and burn at extremely high temperatures. Depending on the type, they may also produce hot residue, smoke, or launch into the air – which means they need to be handled carefully both on and off the boat.
Understand that although a flare may have expired, that doesn’t mean it is no longer dangerous. Treat expired flares as if they are still live, and never attempt to open, crush, soak, burn, or otherwise dismantle them.
Where to Store Marine Flares
Marine flares should be protected from moisture, heat, and damage, but still need to be easy to reach in an emergency. When choosing where to keep them on your boat:
Keep flares in their original packaging as long as it is in good condition.
Store them in a clearly labeled, water-resistant container that can be opened quickly.
Protect flares from spray, bilge water, condensation, and other sources of moisture.
Keep them away from fuel, batteries, open flames, heaters, and other potential ignition sources.
Choose a location where the container won’t be damaged or buried beneath gear that could shift while underway.
Keep the instructions with the flares so they’re available when you need them.
Make sure everyone on board knows where the flares are stored.
The right storage location should provide protection and quick access. Even a well-protected flare kit won’t do any good if you can’t reach it during an emergency situation.
Should Flares Be Stored in an Airtight Container?
Always follow the flare manufacturer’s storage instructions. A water-resistant container can help protect flares from moisture, but make sure you choose one that is appropriate for the specific type of flare you have. Keep flares separate from loose tools, batteries, cleaning products and other items that could puncture, crush, or damage them.
How to Inspect Marine Flares
Flares shouldn’t be something you only check when you need them. Make a habit of inspecting your flare kit before the start of boating season, before a longer trip, and anytime the container has been exposed to water or damaged.
Check the Expiration Date
Check the expiration date on each flare and replace any required flares before they expire. Keep expired flares separate from your current set so there’s no confusion during an emergency.
Inspect for damage
Look for cracks, swelling, dents, punctures, missing caps, loose parts, or any other visible damage. If something doesn’t look right, don’t try to test it – dispose of it properly instead.
Look for moisture and Corrosion
Check for rust, staining, salt buildup, wet or damaged labels, or other signs that moisture has reached the flare. If you suspect a flare has been compromised, don’t use it. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance or contact your local authorities for instructions on how to handle and dispose of it safely.
make sure the Label and Instructions Are legible
You should be able to clearly read the flare’s expiration date and instructions for use. If the label is damaged or you can no longer tell how the flare should be used, replace it.
Can Expired Flares Be Kept as Backups?
Some boaters choose to keep expired flares as backups in addition to their current set. While an expired flare may provide another way to signal for help in an emergency, there’s no guarantee it will perform as intended.
Expired flares should never replace the current flares required on board. If you choose to keep them, store them separately and clearly label them as expired so they aren’t confused with your current set.
How to Dispose of Expired or Unwanted Flares
There isn’t one disposal option that applies everywhere. Programs and requirements vary by where you’re located, so start locally and always confirm that a facility accepts marine flares before bringing them in.
check With your Local waste authority
The U.S. Coast Guard recommends following state and local requirements for disposing of expired pyrotechnic distress signals. Contact your local solid-waste or household hazardous-waste program and ask specifically whether it accepts marine flares.
contact your local Fire Department or Law Enforcement Agency
Some communities offer flare collection or disposal programs through local fire departments or law enforcement agencies. Call ahead to find out what options are available and how the flares should be handled or transported.
confirm before using a Household Hazardous-Waste Program
Household hazardous-waste programs may accept expired or unwanted flares, but not all do. Always call ahead, explain what you have, and follow the facility’s instructions for safely bringing the flares to the collection site.
What Not to Do With Old Flares
Even when they’re expired, marine flares should be handled carefully until they can be properly disposed of. Never:
- Throw old flares in household trash or recycling.
- Toss them overboard or bury them.
- Cut, drill, crush, soak, or take them apart.
- Burn them in a fire or incinerator.
- Fire them simply to test them, celebrate, or get rid of them.
- Transport leaking, swollen, burned, or severely damaged flares without first getting professional guidance.
- Store or transport them with fuel, solvents, batteries or other potentially hazardous materials.
When in doubt, leave the flare intact and contact your local hazardous-waste authority, fire department, or the manufacturer for guidance on what to do next.
How to Transport Flares for Approved Disposal
Before transporting old or unwanted flares, follow the instructions provided by the facility or agency that has agreed to accept them. Keep flares in their original packaging when possible and secure them so they can’t move around or be damaged during the trip. Keep them away from heat and other ignition sources, and only transport the number of flares the facility has agreed to accept.
Never leave flares unattended in a hot vehicle. If a flare is leaking, smoking, hot, swollen, or appears unstable, don’t attempt to handle or transport it. Move it to a safe location and contact local emergency services for guidance.
Consider Approved Electronic Distress Signals
Approved electronic visual distress signals may be another option to consider. Unlike traditional flares, electronic signals are reusable and don’t produce a flame, smoke, or hot residue. However, they still need to be maintained, which means checking the batteries regularly, and they may need to be paired with an approved daytime distress signal.
Not sure which signals you need? View this guide to visual distress signals to understand the different types of signaling devices, including electronic lights, orange distress flags, flares and smoke signals, and when they may be used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put expired boat flares in the trash?
No. Marine flares should not be placed in household trash or recycling. Contact your local hazardous-waste program, fire department or other appropriate local agency to find out what disposal options are available in your area.
Can I fire expired flares to dispose of them?
No. Never fire a flare simply to get rid of it. Doing so could start a fire, cause an injury or trigger an unnecessary emergency response. Instead, use an approved disposal option in your area.
What should I do with a wet or corroded flare?
Don’t attempt to use, open, clean, or take apart a wet or corroded flare. Avoid unnecessary handling, keep it away from heat and ignition sources, and contact your local fire department, hazardous-waste authority or the manufacturer for guidance.
Do expired flares count toward Coast Guard requirements?
Expired flares should not be relied on to meet current carriage requirements. Make sure you have the required number and type of approved, unexpired visual distress signals on board for your vessel and where you boat.
How often should I inspect boat flares?
Check your flares at least once each boating season, before longer trips and anytime their storage container has been exposed to water, impact or extreme temperatures. It’s also a good idea to check the expiration dates periodically so you have plenty of time to replace flares before they expire.
Keep Flares ready when you need them
Marine flares are an important piece of safety equipment, but they do need a little attention before an emergency happens. Keep them dry, protected and easy to reach, check them regularly, and replace any that are expired or damaged. Just as importantly, make sure everyone on board knows where they’re stored and how to access them.
When it’s time to dispose of old or unwanted flares, don’t try to make them safe by firing, soaking, taking apart, or burning them. Check with local authorities or an approved disposal program and follow their instructions for getting rid of them safely.
Sea Tow Team
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