Consumer fireworks are fireworks sold for use by the general public. They are generally weaker in explosive power than the fireworks used in professional displays.
Consumer fireworks are often quite small and can be classified into three groups: daytime, nighttime, and novelty fireworks.
Daytime fireworks include most bottle rockets, smoke balls, firecrackers, and other fireworks that emit very little or no light. Some examples of daytime consumer fireworks include:
Novelty fireworks typically produce a much weaker explosion and sound. In some countries and areas where fireworks are illegal to use, they still allow these small, low grade fireworks to be used. A few examples include: [1]
Consumer fireworks can be used with a variety of tools. One set of tools has to do with basic ignition, such as lighters, matches, and punks also known as a 'port fire'. By using a rack, one can ignite a series of different fireworks to create a scene. These sometimes allow for the finales seen at professional fireworks displays to be created using consumer fireworks. Racks can be used with multiple types of fireworks, such as aerial shells, fountains, Roman candles, and the newest class of fireworks, 500 gram repeaters. Other tools are involved with the setup of fireworks for later display, such as shovels, various hand tools, and spare visco fuses. The true scope of tools used with consumer fireworks is limited only by the displayer's imagination.
There are several ways by which fireworks can be ignited. The most basic of these is simply flame from a match, lighter or other devices that emits flames. Another way to light fireworks is by using a device called a punk. A punk is a long, thin piece of wood covered in a substance that burns very slowly, producing only heat, with no flame. A port fire is a smoldering compound as a powder compressed in a stiff paper tube. The most complicated method used to ignite consumer fireworks is to use electronic ignition. This is the preferred method of many professional pyrotechnicians worldwide because of the vast improvement in operator safety. There are a few electronic ignition (often called "e-fire") systems that use readily available materials.
Laws regarding consumer fireworks vary between countries and states.
In Asia, fireworks are commonly displayed during Lunar New Year. Traditionally, firecrackers were used to scare off evil spirits.
In India, fireworks are primarily sold and lit during the Hindu festival of Diwali. [2] [3]
Due to the increasing levels of Air pollution in Delhi and the greater National Capital Region, the sale of fireworks were banned in the city by the Supreme Court during Diwali in 2017. [4]
In the Philippines, fireworks are primarily sold and lit during New Year's Eve.
In Belgium, fireworks (except category 1) cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 16. Fireworks are available for purchase year round, but may only be used by police permission.
In Finland, fireworks (other than novelties and sparklers) are usually sold between Christmas and New Year's Day. It is legal to sell fireworks all year round (predominantly through online retailers). However, they may only be used on New Year's Eve from 6 pm to 2 am the following morning.
In Germany, fireworks (other than category 1) cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18. Fireworks are available for purchase from many stores in the 3 days prior to New Year's Eve.
In Iceland, fireworks are sold from December 28–31 and again on January 6.
In Ireland, the import of consumer fireworks is strictly controlled, and the use of them must be overseen by a professional fireworks operator. [5] This has led to considerable smuggling of fireworks from Northern Ireland, where regulations governing the sale of fireworks are more permissive. [6]
In the Netherlands, fireworks (other than category 1) cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 16. They are only sold the last three days up until and including December 31. If one of those days is a Sunday, the sale period is moved to the 28 up until and including December 30. Fireworks may only be fired between 6 pm on New Year's Eve to 2 am the following day. Category 1 fireworks can be used all year round.
In Norway, fireworks cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18. Class 1, 2 and 3 fireworks are for sale from December 27 to December 31. They may only be fired between 18:00h and 02:00h on New Year's Eve.
In Poland, fireworks cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18. Fireworks are available for purchase year round but are primarily sold before New Year's Eve.
Romania also has a strict policy regarding fireworks. Only category 1 fireworks may be sold to the general public, and cannot be sold to anyone under 16 years old. Category 2 and above can only be sold to permit holders, and they can only be fired with police permission.
In Sweden, fireworks cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18. Categories 1 (Indoor), 2 (Garden) and 3 (Display) are available to the general public — with Category 4 (Professional) being restricted to permit holders. Fireworks are available for purchase year round but are primarily sold before New Year's Eve. In urban areas they may only be fired New Year's Eve, eastern eve and Walpurgis Night without a police permission. There may be time regulations on these days as well, but it depends on what municipality the user is in.
In the United Kingdom, fireworks cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18 and are not permitted to be set off between 11 pm and 7 am. Exceptions are made for New Year, Bonfire Night (5 November), the Chinese New Year and Diwali. [7] Fireworks are available from specialist stores year round and their use is also permitted throughout the year within the specified time limits. The sale of Categories 1 (Indoor), 2 (Garden) and 3 (Display) are available to the general public — with Category 4 (Professional) being restricted to permit holders.
In the Isle of Man, outdoor firework displays are only legal if the relevant government department and local residents are advised prior to the event. [8]
Fireworks are regulated federally by the Explosives Regulatory Division (ERD), a department of Natural Resources Canada, and as such are responsible for the enforcement of regulations regarding consumer fireworks including manufacture, import/export, storage, and retail. It is legal in Canada to purchase a wide variety of consumer fireworks, such as Roman candles and star wheels, however all products offered for sale must be tested and approved by the ERD. Regulations regarding the dates when fireworks may be purchased, venues for operating fireworks, and other restrictions are set by the individual provinces and territories, and may vary widely from province to province or even between municipalities within the same province.[ citation needed ]
 | This section needs to be updated.(July 2019) |
In the United States, the laws governing consumer fireworks vary widely from state to state, or from county to county. It is common for consumers to cross state and county lines in order to purchase types of fireworks which are outlawed in their home jurisdictions. Fireworks laws in urban areas typically limit sales or use by dates or seasons. Municipalities may have stricter laws than their counties or states do.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission defines what fireworks may be considered consumer fireworks. Consumer fireworks in the United States are limited to 500 grams (this was previously 350 grams until 17 years ago) of composition for pre-fused multi shot aerials known as cakes, and firecrackers may have up to 50 milligrams of flash powder. Reloadable shells are limited to 1.75" in diameter and can have a max of 60 grams of composition, and shells in pre-fused tubes are limited to 2.25" and are also limited to 60 grams of composition. Any fireworks that exceed these limits are not considered consumer fireworks and need an ATF license.
The American Pyrotechnics Association maintains a directory of state laws pertaining to fireworks.
One state — Massachusetts — bans the sale and use of all consumer fireworks, including novelties and sparklers.
Three states — Illinois, Ohio, and Vermont — permit the use of only wire or wood stick sparklers and other novelties, with Illinois and Vermont restricting sales to these same items.
Three states — Hawaii, Nevada, and Wyoming — allow each county to establish its own regulations.
For example, in Nevada, Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, allows residents to purchase and use only non-explosive and non-aerial consumer (safe and sane) fireworks during the 4th of July. Nye County allows persons 18 years of age or older to purchase and use safe and sane on private property. Aerial and explosive consumer fireworks are allowed, but only at designated areas. Esmeralda County allows the use of consumer fireworks on private property. Elko County allows the use of sparklers only. Most other counties in Nevada prohibit all types of consumer fireworks. These counties include Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, Washoe, and White Pine.
The following states allow the sale and use of non-aerial and non-explosive fireworks (also called "safe and sane") like novelties, fountains and sparklers, etc.: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maryland (except for some counties such as Montgomery County which only allows snap-and-pop noise makers, snakes, and party poppers), Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington D.C.
The following states permit the sale of all or most types of consumer fireworks to residents: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia. Many of these states have selling seasons around the 4th of July and/or Christmas and New Year's Eve; Utah also allows the sale and use of fireworks around Pioneer Day, July 24, celebrating the arrival of Mormon settlers to the valley of the Great Salt Lake in 1847. Some of these states also allow local laws or regulations to further restrict the types permitted or the selling seasons.
California has very specific requirements for the types of consumer fireworks that can be sold to and used by residents. Even then each city can and often does place restrictions on sale and use.
Delaware Governor John Carney signed into law a bill on May 20, 2018, allowing sparklers and non-explosive, non-airborne novelty items. The use is allowed only on July 4 and December 31 each year with sales limited to the 30 days preceding their allowed use. [9]
In Florida all consumer fireworks are legal as of (April 8, 2020) and are only permitted on the 4th of July, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day although they can be sold to residents year-round. Each county is allowed to put forward their own regulations. Prior to the passage of this new law, all consumer fireworks could be purchased but buyers had to sign a form declaring intent to use the fireworks for agricultural purposes to scare birds away from crops. The new law [10] also disallows HOAs from banning fireworks inside communities if the county permits usage.
Michigan legislators have passed and enrolled a bill that was signed by Governor Rick Snyder on December 13, 2011 [11] allowing the sale and use of all consumer fireworks, however, sellers must pay a fee ($600–1000) to sell higher-power consumer fireworks, and a tax will be added to fireworks purchases. [12]
In Minnesota only consumer fireworks that do not explode or fly through the air are permitted to be sold to and used by residents.
Missouri permits all types of consumer fireworks to be sold to residents with two selling seasons; June 20 – July 10 and December 20 – January 2. South Carolina permits all types of consumer fireworks except small rockets less than ½” in diameter and 3” long to be sold and used by residents year round.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill on November 21, 2014, allowing sparklers, party poppers, cone fountains and other novelty items to be sold, possessed, and used in the state of New York outside of New York City. Local governments must approve the sale and use of fireworks before people can legally use them. Although the use of fireworks is allowed year-round, the sale of fireworks, by registered businesses, is limited to a period of June 1 through July 5 and December 26 through January 2 each year.
Ohio permits the sale of some fireworks, but requires them to be transported out of state within 48 hours of the sale. [13]
Washington allows consumer fireworks except firecrackers, sky rockets, missiles, and bottle rockets. Each county and city may regulate the use and possession of fireworks.
In Maine, fireworks can only be sold to people over 21 at firework only stores except for sparklers that can be sold at stores that sell other items except for propane dealers or other explosives.
Many states have stores with all types of consumer fireworks that sell to non-residents with the provision they are to remove the purchased fireworks from that state. This is why there are many stores selling fireworks in states like Ohio, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nevada and Wisconsin with all types of consumer fireworks, even though residents are limited or prohibited from buying or using those very same consumer fireworks unless they have the appropriate licenses and/or permits.
Many Native American Tribes have consumer fireworks stores on reservation lands that are exempt from state and local authority and will sell to people that are not in the tribe.
In Australia, most states and territories outlaw fireworks for consumers. [14] [15] Tasmania, ACT and Northern Territory allow use with a permit (dependent on calendar date and circumstances). [16] However, on July 1 for Territory Day, one can freely use fireworks without a permit in the Northern Territory. [17]
Small firecrackers were legal in the ACT on the Queen's Official Birthday long weekend but were banned in 2009 due to safety concerns. However, small novelties such as party poppers and sparklers are legal across Australia.
In New Zealand fireworks cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18 (previously 14), and may only be sold for the four days leading up to and including November 5. However, fireworks are able to be used at any time of the year (i.e.: there is no time restriction on when fireworks can be used, even though there is a restriction on the sales time of fireworks). The types of fireworks available to the public are multi-shot "cakes", Roman candles, single shot shooters, ground and wall spinners, fountains, cones, sparklers, and various novelties, such as smoke bombs and pharaoh's serpents. sales of fireworks have become increasingly restricted in recent years. Skyrockets, and other fireworks where the firework itself flies were banned in 1994. Firecrackers and Bangers were banned in 1993. As of 2007, sparklers may only be purchased no more than 50 at a time in packs with other fireworks. This is due to the popularity of sparkler bombs. [18]
In Argentina, fireworks were prohibited from public shows in 2019 by a national decree based in article 14 of national constitution and demands of organizations of animal protection and parents of autistic children. Otherwise, most fireworks are completely legal to sell all year round. [19]
In Chile fireworks are restricted for consumer use and can only be seen in professional shows (except on New Year 2020/2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic). The prohibition came at the request of organizations dealing with burnt children, many of the accidents being caused by unsupervised use of fireworks.
In Colombia any sale of pyrotechnic items or fireworks and balloons is prohibited. Colombian legislation totally prohibits fireworks containing white phosphorus. Violators will receive a fine that can reach US$2,500. [20]
Fireworks are low explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays, combining a large number of devices in an outdoor setting. Such displays are the focal point of many cultural and religious celebrations, though mismanagement could lead to fireworks accidents.
A skyrocket is a type of firework that uses a solid-fuel rocket to rise quickly into the sky; a bottle rocket is a small skyrocket. At the apex of its ascent, it is usual for a variety of effects to be emitted. Skyrockets use various stabilisation techniques to ensure the flight follows a predictable course, often a long stick attached to the side of the motor, but also including spin-stabilisation or fins.
A firecracker is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang, usually for celebration or entertainment; any visual effect is incidental to this goal. They have fuses, and are wrapped in a heavy paper casing to contain the explosive compound. Firecrackers, along with fireworks, originated in China.
A Roman candle is a traditional type of firework that ejects one or more stars or exploding shells. Roman candles come in a variety of sizes, from 6 mm (0.24 in) diameter for consumers, up to 8 cm (3.1 in) diameter in professional fireworks displays.
A sparkler is a type of hand-held firework that burns slowly while emitting bright, colored sparks. It burns in high temperature, so it can be very dangerous.
Ticket resale is the act of reselling tickets for admission to events. Tickets are bought from licensed sellers and then sold for a price determined by the individual or company in possession of the tickets. Tickets sold through secondary sources may be sold for less or more than their face value depending on demand, which tends to vary as the event date approaches. When the supply of tickets for a given event available through authorized ticket sellers is depleted, the event is considered "sold out," generally increasing the market value for any tickets on offer through secondary sellers. Ticket resale is common in both sporting and musical events.
Fireworks in England, Scotland and Wales are governed primarily by the Fireworks Regulations 2004, the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015, and British Standards BS 7114 until 4/7/17 and BS-EN 15947-2015. In Northern Ireland, fireworks are governed by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015, and Explosives (Fireworks) Regulations (NI) 2002.
The Catherine wheel or pinwheel is a type of firework consisting either of a powder-filled spiral tube, or an angled rocket mounted with a pin through its center. When ignited, the energy of the fireworks not only create sparks and flame, but cause the wheel to quickly rotate, making the display much more spectacular. The physics of the process are those of an aeolipile.
"Black snake" is a term that can refer to at least three similar types of fireworks: the Pharaoh's snake, the sugar snake, or a popular retail composition marketed under various product names but usually known as "black snake". The "Pharaoh's snake" or "Pharaoh's serpent" is the original version of the black snake experiment. It produces a more impressive snake, but its execution depends upon mercury (II) thiocyanate, which is no longer in common use due to its toxicity. For a "sugar snake", sodium bicarbonate and sugar are the commonly used chemicals.
The alcohol laws of Kansas are among the strictest in the United States, in sharp contrast to its neighboring state of Missouri, and similar to its other neighboring state of Oklahoma. Legislation is enforced by the Kansas Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
M-80s are an American class of large powerful firecrackers, sometimes called salutes. M-80s were originally made in the mid 20th century for the U.S. military to simulate explosives or artillery fire. The "M" is designated by a U.S. military convention for "standard" equipment and "80" is for the 80 grains of flash powder within it. Later, M-80s were manufactured as consumer fireworks made from a small cardboard tube, often red, approximately 1+1⁄2 inches (3.8 cm) long and 9⁄16 inch (1.4 cm) inside diameter, with a fuse coming out of the side; this type of fuse is commonly known as cannon fuse or Visco fuse, after a company responsible for standardizing the product. The consumer version holds a reduced charge of 45 grains of pyrotechnic flash powder.
Alcohol laws of Australia are laws that regulate the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The legal drinking age is 18 throughout Australia. The minimum age for the purchase of alcoholic products in Australia is 18. A licence is required to produce or sell alcohol.
Bang snaps are a type of small novelty firework sold as a trick noisemaker.
Gun laws in New York regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the U.S. state of New York, outside of New York City which has separate licensing regulations. New York's gun laws are among the most restrictive in the United States.
Blue laws, also known as Sunday laws, are laws that restrict or ban some or all activities on specified days, particularly to promote the observance of a day of rest. Such laws may restrict shopping or ban sale of certain items on specific days. Blue laws are enforced in parts of the United States and Canada as well as some European countries, particularly in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Norway, keeping most stores closed on Sundays.
The sales of fireworks in Belgium is federally regulated. Since 5 July 2017, the sale of European category F3 fireworks to non-professionals is a criminal offence; the non-professional customer needs to be at least 12 years old for category F1 and at least 16 years old for category F2; the vendor is required to verify the customer's age.
Fireworks policy in the European Union is aimed at harmonising and standardising the EU member states' policies on the regulation of production, transportation, sale, consumption and overall safety of fireworks across the European Union. Regulation is achieved via Directive 2013/29/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of pyrotechnic articles.
Fireworks in the Netherlands are mostly regulated by the Vuurwerkbesluit, a 1993 law that has subsequently been amended many times to make the rules surrounding the production, testing, transportation, storage, trade, sale, consumption and overall safety of fireworks stricter.
Fireworks policy in the United States can be different in each jurisdiction.
During the celebration of New Year's Eve and day between 2024 and 2025, several incidents involving the use of pyrotechnics occurred throughout Germany, resulting in the deaths of five people, the injury of several dozens, and culminating in the arrests of least 330. The celebrations had seen unusually intense mishandling of both legally purchased and illegally improvised pyrotechnic items and possibly due to a widespread tampering and distribution campaign of deliberately defective consumer pyrotechnics items. Some 15 law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency services were injured as due to being pelted with illegal fireworks in Cologne, Leipzig and Hamburg. Some 330 people were detained in the capital Berlin overnight, contrary to previous years, where there were no major violence or incidents.
There are firecrackers everywhere to scare off evil spirits and contribute to the festive atmosphere.
But as well as delighting the spectators, the fireworks are believed to chase away evil spirits.