Consumer fireworks
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.
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Examples
Consumer fireworks are often quite small and can be classified into three groups: daytime, nighttime, and novelty fireworks.Daytime 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:- Skyrocket — Launch into the air, sometimes with a high-pitched whistling sound, with a report at the end. Some varieties may emit sparks upon launch. Their sizes can range from an inch to about 6 inches long and 1/8 to 3/4 inches around, not including the stick. The smaller variety of these rockets are also commonly referred to as "Bottle Rockets" due to the commonality in which people use a bottle as a launching platform.
- Firecracker — An explosion occurs on the ground, often in a series. They range from 1 to 16,000+ on a single string.
- Smoke ball — Emits colored smoke for a few seconds. Colors typically include white, green, blue, yellow, orange, fuchsia, red and pink.
- Multiple Rocket Launcher — More commonly known as the "Saturn Missile Battery" typically launches a series of 16 to 800 small rockets with a high-pitched whistle each time, often with a report.
- Snake - a firework that, when lit, leaves a trail of ash.
Novelty fireworks
- Party Poppers — once a string is pulled to activate the charge, confetti is thrust into the air and produces a report.
- Snaps — a small paper bag typically filled with gravel and a few micrograms of silver fulminate will produce a report when thrown at a hard surface or stepped on.
- Flying Lanterns — these paper lanterns float into the sky when lit. They emit a slight glow and are very commonly used at weddings and celebrations.
- Paper Tanks & Vehicles — when lit, these small paper vehicles emit sparks that cause them to move around on the ground and commonly produce a loud bang at the end.
- Party Bombs — a tube filled with toys which, when lit, shoots the toys into the air distributing them around the room. Used in Switzerland.
- Ground Bloom Flowers — a small cylinder that spins on the ground and changes color, spinning in such a way that it resembles a flower. Could be described as a large Jumping Jack.
- Snakes — a small compressed pellet that, when lit, expands into a long snake-like object.
Use
Tools
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 , 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.Lighting and launching
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 systems that use readily available materials.Regulations
Laws regarding consumer fireworks vary between countries and states.Asia
In Asia, fireworks are commonly displayed during Lunar New Year. Traditionally, firecrackers were used to scare off evil spirits.India
In India, fireworks are primarily sold and lit during the Hindu festival of Diwali.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.
Europe
Belgium
In Belgium, fireworks 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.Finland
In Finland, fireworks are usually sold between Christmas and New Years. It is legal to sell fireworks all year round. They may only be used on New Year's Eve from 6 pm to 2 am the following morning.Germany
In Germany, fireworks are available for purchase from many stores in the 3 days prior to New Year's Eve, allowing families to have their own celebrations in their backyard.Iceland
In Iceland, fireworks are sold from December 28–31 and again on January 6.Ireland
In Ireland, the import of consumer fireworks is strictly controlled, and the use of them must be overseen by a professional fireworks operator. This has led to considerable smuggling of fireworks from Northern Ireland, where regulations governing the sale of fireworks are more permissive.Netherlands
In the Netherlands, fireworks 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.Norway
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.Poland
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.Sweden
In Sweden, fireworks cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18.Categories 1, 2 and 3 are available to the general public — with Category 4 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 years 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 you are in.
United Kingdom
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, the Chinese New Year and Diwali. 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, 2 and 3 are available to the general public — with Category 4 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.
North America
Canada
Fireworks are regulated federally by the Explosives Regulatory Division , 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.- Alberta: With recent changes to the Alberta Fire Code, the province now allows each municipality to regulate the sale and use of consumer fireworks. In Wood Buffalo, there is a total ban, meaning fireworks cannot be purchased or set off anywhere, while Edmonton allows fireworks, but only upon obtaining a permit first.
- British Columbia: In Metro Vancouver, fireworks can be bought in Vancouver, Burnaby, West Vancouver and North Vancouver, as long as it is within a week of Halloween, but they cannot be purchased in Surrey, Richmond, Langley, and Abbotsford, and much of the lower mainland.
- Ontario: Fireworks may be purchased in the two weeks preceding Canada Day and Victoria Day without a permit, and may be set off on the three days surrounding each holiday without a permit. Some GTA municipalities have allowed fireworks on the Hindu festival of Diwali.
- Quebec: St. Jean-Baptiste Day is a major fireworks celebration, however the focus is generally on display fireworks as opposed to consumer. Fireworks are prohibited year-round on the Island of Montreal, though allowed in much of the rest of the province.
- Atlantic Canada:fireworks are legal and can be used all year round.
United States
The Consumer Product Safety Commission defines what fireworks may be considered consumer fireworks. Consumer fireworks in the United States are limited to 500 grams 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 pertaining to fireworks.
One state — Massachusetts— bans the sale and use of all consumer fireworks, including novelties and sparklers.
Two states — Illinois and Vermont — permit the sale and use of only wire or wood stick sparklers and other novelties.
The following states allow the sale and use of non-aerial and non-explosive fireworks like novelties, fountains and sparklers, etc.: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
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.
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.
Michigan legislators have passed and enrolled a bill that was signed by Governor Rick Snyder on December 13, 2011 allowing the sale and use of all consumer fireworks, however, sellers must pay a fee to sell higher-power consumer fireworks, and a tax will be added to fireworks purchases.
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.
In Minnesota only consumer fireworks that do not explode or fly through the air are permitted to be sold to and used by residents.
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, Ohio, 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.
In Florida all consumer fireworks are legal as of 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 also disallows HOAs from banning fireworks inside communities if the county permits usage.
Washington allows consumer fireworks except firecrackers, sky rockets, missiles, and bottle rockets. Each county and city may regulate the use and possession of fireworks.
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.
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 fireworks during the 4th of July. Nye County allows persons 18 years of age or older to purchase and use safe and sane and all consumer fireworks on private property or at free designated launch pads. Aerial and explosive consumer fireworks are allowed, but only at designated areas at designated times and dates and only with a permit. 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.
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.