Marine Flares

Canadian law requires that marine signal products be replaced 42 months (it says 4 years in the Canada Shipping Act) after date of manufacture - dates are stamped or printed on all flares.

Be sure to keep all your signal products dry and protected from heat in a labelled waterproof container or ziploc bag. The chemicals in the flares break down over time and they can misfire and injure anyone nearby. Keep away from children - they can kill!

Flares are considered to be hazardous material and cannot be thrown into regular garbage, left lying around the house or thrown into the water.

Disposal Options for Expired Flares

• Donate to a local training class.
• Ignite hand-held flares inland in a safe area (inform police or Coast Guard).
• Contact local police, fire-fighters and marinas for advice or collection programs.
• Contact the manufacturer or store where you bought them.
• Retain flares under 5 years old for back-up. Most will work if kept dry and cool.

DON'T do the following with Expired Flares

• Don't throw overboard.
• Don't ignite flares over regulated waters.
• Don't put in household garbage!
• Don't launch aerial signals on land.
• Don't take them to a police station.