Glow Stick Safety Facts

Are Glowsticks Safe?

In a word, yes. When you see your light necklace, bracelet, or toy gleaming, it's natural to wonder whether the technology involved is safe. Don't worry: glowsticks glow because of a harmless chemical reaction, not because of radioactive substances or heat.

You can read all the details about what makes glowsticks glow at our page on How Glowsticks Work. Essentially, it's a chemical reaction between two nontoxic chemicals. You probably have the same kinds of chemicals in your home already. The chemicals in glowsticks are securely encased in the plastic tube and you will usually not come into contact with them at all.

If your glowstick is punctured, though, it's possible that a small amount of these chemicals might leak. The chemicals are not poisonous, they're not radioactive, and they're not flammable. They won't explode. Still, they're not intended to be eaten and it's possible that they might irritate the skin of someone who is sensitive to them.

Here are the safety precautions we recommend:

•   • Don't cut open a glowstick.
•   • If a glowstick should become punctured or leak. throw it away.
•   • If the chemicals from the glowstick leak onto your skin, wash with soap and water.
•   • Don't eat glowsticks or drink the chemicals inside them.
•   • Supervise small children using glowsticks. 
•   • Watch where you're swinging your glowstick at a dance or rave to avoid hitting people.
•   • Don't throw glowsticks at people or use them as weapons.
•   • After using glowsticks, dispose of them where children and animals won't find them.

Using Glowsticks for Safety

Not only are glowsticks safe, but they have important uses for personal safety. You should keep glowsticks in your household disaster kit and in your car emergency kit. Glowsticks are also great for night safety.  When you are riding a bike or walking your dog in the evening, a glow necklace or bracelet makes you more visible to motorists. Add a glow necklace to your dog's collar when walking, in case your leash breaks.

Smart parents also use glow sticks to help keep kids visible. On vacation or in other situations where your child will be in a crowd, glow bracelets make it easier to keep track of your child. The same is true for schools on field trips.

Glow sticks are useful for camping, too. A warm glowstick gives bright illumination without the danger of fire.

In any situation in which a cool, safe light will increase your safety, glowsticks are just what you need.