diff --git a/Scripts/Effects/UIParticleSystem.cs b/Scripts/Effects/UIParticleSystem.cs
index abf0fa5..f6705ab 100644
--- a/Scripts/Effects/UIParticleSystem.cs
+++ b/Scripts/Effects/UIParticleSystem.cs
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ namespace UnityEngine.UI.Extensions
         private int textureSheetAnimationFrames;
         private Vector2 textureSheetAnimationFrameSize;
         private ParticleSystemRenderer pRenderer;
+        private bool isInitialised = false;
 
         private Material currentMaterial;
 
@@ -149,6 +150,12 @@ namespace UnityEngine.UI.Extensions
                 return;
             }
 
+            if (!isInitialised && !pSystem.main.playOnAwake)
+            {
+                pSystem.Stop(false, ParticleSystemStopBehavior.StopEmittingAndClear);
+                isInitialised = true;
+            }
+
             Vector2 temp = Vector2.zero;
             Vector2 corner1 = Vector2.zero;
             Vector2 corner2 = Vector2.zero;
@@ -330,7 +337,7 @@ namespace UnityEngine.UI.Extensions
             }
         }
 
-        void Update()
+        private void Update()
         {
             if (!fixedTime && Application.isPlaying)
             {
@@ -346,7 +353,7 @@ namespace UnityEngine.UI.Extensions
             }
         }
 
-        void LateUpdate()
+        private void LateUpdate()
         {
             if (!Application.isPlaying)
             {
@@ -377,6 +384,21 @@ namespace UnityEngine.UI.Extensions
             currentMaterial = null;
             currentTexture = null;
         }
+
+        public void StartParticleEmission()
+        {
+            pSystem.Play();
+        }
+
+        public void StopParticleEmission()
+        {
+            pSystem.Stop(false, ParticleSystemStopBehavior.StopEmittingAndClear);
+        }
+
+        public void PauseParticleEmission()
+        {
+            pSystem.Stop(false, ParticleSystemStopBehavior.StopEmitting);
+        }
     }
 #endif
 }
\ No newline at end of file