When Gender Reveals Go Wrong

We’ve all seen them—those colourful gender reveal moments that range from heart-warming to hilariously over-the-top. But when one dad from Leeds ended up nursing a scorched arm instead of cutting cake, it served as a cautionary tale worth repeating (especially if you're planning to light a fuse any time soon).

Daniel Moore, 41, and his partner Sophie were hosting a backyard bash in Headingley to reveal the gender of their next little bundle of joy. Like many parents-to-be, they opted for a firework reveal—because nothing says boy or girl? quite like coloured smoke filling the sky.

But instead of a magical moment, Daniel ended up discovering what happens when you buy a cheap gender reveal firework online from an unknown source. After lighting the device, nothing happened. Assuming it had fizzled out (spoiler: it hadn’t), he cautiously approached it… and it chose that exact moment to roar to life. A burst of blue smoke announced a baby boy—but not before scorching through Daniel’s t-shirt and turning his forearm into a cautionary tale.

His words? “Felt like I’d dipped it in boiling water.” Yikes.

This Could’ve Been Avoided

Now, before anyone starts clutching their pearls and swearing off pyrotechnics for life, let’s take a deep breath. The problem here wasn’t the firework—it was where it came from and how it was handled.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again (probably louder this time): buying fireworks from random online sellers is a terrible idea. We covered this in our article Cheap Fireworks – Are They Worth It?, where we explain why a cheap price tag isn’t worth the stress, injury, or the potential trip to A&E.

At Epic Fireworks, we specialise in reliable, legally compliant, and professionally tested pyrotechnics—including a full range of gender reveal fireworks, flares, and smoke grenades that are as safe as they are spectacular. Blue for a boy, pink for a girl—we’ve got your reveal covered.

Let’s Talk Firework Safety (Without the Snooze)

We’re not here to wag fingers, but if you’re lighting fireworks at home, there are a few golden rules you really should follow. We lay them all out in The Ultimate Guide to At-Home Firework Displays Pt 18: Handling and Lighting Fireworks, but in short:

• Never relight or approach a dud. Just don’t. Ever.

• Light fireworks at arm’s length using a portfire or safety lighter.

• Once it’s lit, back away.

• Always read the instructions (yes, even if you “know what you’re doing”).

• And make sure your setup is stable and secure before you go all pyrotechnic Picasso.

Simple, isn’t it? It’s not about spoiling the fun—it’s about making sure you live to light another day (and don’t scare the dog, the kids, or the neighbours unnecessarily).

Not All Fireworks Are Created Equal

If you’re still in the planning stage, do yourself a favour and check out Part One of our Ultimate Guide: Buying Fireworks in the UK. It’s your straight-talking primer on what to look for, what to avoid, and how to get the best bang for your buck.

From rockets that reach for the stars to low-noise options for those with little ears or nervous pets, there’s something for every occasion and comfort level. And if you’re not sure what to get, our team is just a phone call away—no robots, just real humans who love fireworks as much as you do (maybe more).

A Word to the Wise

Daniel, thankfully, is on the mend, but the whole experience could’ve been very different with a proper product, solid setup, and a read of the label.

So if you’re planning a gender reveal, birthday bash, or just fancy lighting up the back garden for fun, do it right. Do it safely. And, if we may say so—do it epically.

Your memories deserve to sparkle, not smoulder.

Ready to get your firework display sorted safely? We’re here when you are.