Consumer fireworks
A punk is a long, thin piece of wood covered in a substance that burns very slowly, producing only heat, with no flame.
This is the preferred method of many professional pyrotechnicians worldwide because of the vast improvement in operator safety.
[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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Some of these states also allow local laws or regulations to further restrict the types permitted or the selling seasons.
Delaware Governor John Carney signed into law a bill on May 20, 2018, allowing sparklers and non-explosive, non-airborne novelty items.
The new law [10] also disallows HOAs from banning fireworks inside communities if the county permits usage.
[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.
[14][15] Tasmania, ACT and Northern Territory allow use with a permit (dependent on calendar date and circumstances).
[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.
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.
[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.
