General:

1. No Smoking around cartridges or loaded weapons.

2. Always know where your muzzle is pointed. It must be up and away from your face.

3. Every soldier must know the loading and firing procedures well enough that even a new private could go to another unit and give a proper class of instruction.

4. New recruits must demonstrate safe loading and firing procedures in the presence of an NCO or officer.

5. Be aware of static. No shuffling of feet while pouring cartridges.

6. After every event, clean out your cartridge box to get rid of loose powder.

7. No cartridge distribution or filling of cartridge boxes around the fire. Do NOT throw empty wrappers into the fire (save them for re-use if possible).

8. Hearing protection is mandatory for all officers and soldiers.

9. Cartride box tins are required at all times.

10. If a weapon fouls in the field, notify an officer or NCO and go with him to the rear to clear it. If this is not possible (for example, a ceremony or living history), discreetly pour out the powder and reload. If a second misfire occurs, the soldier will not load, but rather go through the motions.

11. All weapons will be in safe and correct working order - no loose parts, no missing screws, no major cracks in the stock. Inspecting officers will determine whether a weapon is safe or not.

12. When firing at battle lines closer than 50 yards, elevation is mandatory.

13. Weapons should have a sling. If no sling is present, soldiers will carry a kerchief, bandana, or glove for handling his weapon in battle or extended firing demonstrations.

14. In the event of a cook-off or any kind of powder burn, the soldier and an NCO will tend to the injury and seek medical attention if required.

15. Weapons will be handled by soldiers, NCOs or officers ONLY. At no time will any soldier allow a member of the public control of his musket. This also applies to bayonets.

16. All bayonet scabbards will have the metal tip securely fastened to the end.

17. Sentries will be posted any time weapons are stacked.

18. No person will be allowed to walk between stacks of weapons.

19. Weapons will not be loaded in camp for any reason without instructions from an officer. Weapons will not be cleared on the company street.

20. Cartridges will contain 80 grains of powder or less.

21. Discharge your weapon before "taking a hit" in battle. If taking a "fatal" or disabling wound, lie face down so as to protect your face and ears from battle lines firing over you.

22. Soldiers of the Third Infantry will carry only Springfield or Enfield rifle muskets unless cleared by the company commander.

Noncommissioned Officers will:

1. Know how to conduct demonstrations for both soldiers and the public that clearly show what a blank round can do using different targets at different distances.

2. Know how to conduct weapons inspection.

3. Know how to clear weapons before and after battles and demonstrations, and ensure all weapons are cleared before marching back to camp.

4. Enforce the no-smoking around powder policy.

5. Watch the barrels of soldiers' weapons and ensure the muzzles are pointed up and downrange at all times.

6. train the soldiers in loading and firing procedures to the point that any private could go to another company and conduct a proper class of instruction.

7. At the end of an event, make sure soldiers clean out their cartridge boxes and empty out any loose powder.

8. Ensure that soldiers have and use hearing protection when firing.

9. Ensure that soldiers have full canteens of water when they fall in for drill, demonstrations, and battle. Also ensure that soldiers are drinking plenty of fluids while lying around in camp. Ensure general safety in camp and on the field.

10. Know the procedures for handling misfires. NCOs will demonstrate misfire procedures in the presence of an officer.

11. Enforce the elevated firing rule when opposing battle lines are closer than 50 yards.

12. Know the procedures for handling a cook-off or any kind of powder burn.

13. Enforce the standard that muskets and bayonets will remain in a soldier's control at all times.

14. Inspect bayonet scabbards to ensure that metal tips are securely fastened. Have soldiers remove any scabbard that is missing a tip before falling in for drill, demonstrations, or battle.

15. Ensure that soldiers know what to do when "taking a hit" during battle and see that they follow it.

Commissioned Officers will:

1. Ensure that the company receives National Park Service black powder safety certification at least once a year whenever possible. Ensure that certified soldiers carry their cards with them at all events.

2. Ensure that they and their NCOs know how to conduct demonstrations to both the unit and the public that clearly show what a blank round can do.

3. train NCOs and soldiers in loading and firing procedures to the point that any private could go to another company and conduct a proper class of instruction.

4. Ensure that they and their NCOs know how to conduct proper weapons inspections.

5. Ensure that NCOs constantly enforce black powder safety, heat injury prevention, and general safety in camp and on the field.

6. Test NCOs and soldiers on proper misfire procedures.

7. Test NCOs and soldiers on procedures for handling a cook-off or any kind of powder burn.

8. Reinforce the no-smoking rule when handling powder and around loaded muskets.

9. Inspect soldiers and NCOs to ensure they have hearing protection and that they use it. Keep soldiers informed about where to obtain quality hearing protectors.

10. During drill, demonstrations, and battle, monitor the men for signs of heat or other injuries or illness.