Consumer fireworks are fireworks sold to the general public for use. They are generally weaker in explosive power compared to professional displays, but can still produce spectacular fireworks shows. It has been suggested that Firework be merged into this article or section. ...

A typical example of consumer fireworks - rockets, artillery shells, smoke balls, and others

Using a lighter to light the punk.

Using the punk to light a rocket.

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 536 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Some examples of consumer fireworks grouped up. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 536 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Some examples of consumer fireworks grouped up. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 612 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Lighting a punk for use in lighting consumer fireworks. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 612 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Lighting a punk for use in lighting consumer fireworks. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 653 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) By using the hot end of the punk to touch the tip of the fuse (the green stick coming out of the rocket), consumer fireworks can... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 653 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) By using the hot end of the punk to touch the tip of the fuse (the green stick coming out of the rocket), consumer fireworks can...

Examples of consumer fireworks

Consumer fireworks are often quite small and can be classified into two groups, daytime and nighttime.

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:

• Rockets - launch into the air, sometimes with a high-pitched whistling sound, with a report (explosion) 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.
• Firecracker - an explosion occurs on the ground, often in a series. They range from 1 to 15,000 on a single string.
• Smoke ball - emits colored smoke for a few seconds. Colors typically include white, green, blue, yellow, and orange.
• Saturn missiles - a series of about 16 to 300 shots for the largest batteries that are made in succession with a high-pitched scream each time, often with a report at the end of each shot.

An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ...

Nighttime fireworks

Nighttime fireworks include Roman candles, sparklers, jumping jacks, artillery shells, and other light-emitting fireworks. Some examples of nighttime consumer fireworks include: This article is about the type of fireworks. ... A shell is a payload-carrying projectile, which, as opposed to a bullet, contains an explosive or other filling, though modern usage includes large solid projectiles previously termed shot (AP, APCR, APCNR, APDS, APFSDS and Proof shot). ...

• Roman candles - a series of colored lights, usually about ten, emit from a long tube, usually going about 30 feet above the ground.
• Sparklers - long-lasting, light-emitting rods that emits sparks, sometimes flickering.
• Artillery shells - A ball containing pyrotechnic stars that are launched from a launch tube. They often come in packs of 6 or 12 and shoot about 75 to 150 feet above the ground before exploding.
• Jumping Jacks - a small stick like a firecracker, only emitting jumping balls of light while spinning at high speed.
• Bumblebees- small flying fireworks, which emit gold sparks as they rise upwards and finish in a green emission.

A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... Pyrotechnic stars are pellets or simply pieces of pyrotechnic composition which may contain metal powders, salts or other compounds that, when ignited, burn a certain colour or exude a spark effect. ...

How consumer fireworks are used

Getting consumer fireworks

In the United States not all local laws permit buying fireworks, they are legal in some areas. Such stores are located about one to two kilometers outside of city limits. The stores are sometimes in a standard building, others are underneath tents. Inside, fireworks line the shelves stacked in groups with price tags near or on them. The photo above shows approximately USD$180 in consumer fireworks (not including sales tax). On checkout, long sticks called punks are given. These are used to light the fireworks with and last from about 30 to 80 minutes depending on the size of the punk. A kilometer (Commonwealth spelling: kilometre), symbol: km is a unit of length in the metric system equal to 1,000 metres (from the Greek words χίλια (khilia) = thousand and μέτρο (metro) = count/measure). ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ... A sales tax is a consumption tax charged at the point of purchase for certain goods and services. ...

The tools

Consumer fireworks use only two tools: a punk and a lighter. The lighter is used to light the punk to get it burning. The punk is then used to light the fuse of a firework. Punks are often provided at the store where a customer buys the fireworks. A punk is essentially an incense stick that gives no scent when it burns. Firework punks A punk is a stick used for lighting firework fuses. ... A lighter is a portable device used to create a flame. ... Incense is a preparation of aromatic organic materials, intended to release fragrant smoke when burned. ... Olfaction, the sense of smell, is the detection of chemicals dissolved in air (or, by animals that breathe water, in water). ...

Lighting and launching consumer fireworks

There are several ways a firework can be lit. Using matches or a lighter is possible, but is unsafe. By using punks, fireworks can be lit from a safe distance. Punks also last longer so many fireworks can be set up without having to light another one. By touching the hot part of the punk to the fuse, the firework will be lit. An igniting match A match is a consumable tool for producing fire under controlled circumstances on demand. ...

See also

Firework It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Fireworks. ...