Now, many rural areas still have fireworks displays during the Spring Festival. There are various styles of fireworks and firecrackers, which can be mesmerizing for both adults and children. Depending on the different styles of fireworks and firecrackers, there are also distinct grades and classifications, with varying discharge methods and site requirements. It is crucial to pay attention to safety when storing and setting off fireworks and firecrackers; otherwise, it may result in significant loss of life and property.
Classification of fireworks and firecrackers:
Fireworks and firecrackers are categorized into the following 14 groups based on their structure and the movement they exhibit after being set off:
- Jet flame, spark-based products.
- Products with a rotary type that rotates itself but does not lift off during firing.
- Products whose main body is oriented to lift off during firing.
- Products that spin into the air when fired.
- Products that regularly emit multiple colored beads, colored flowers, sound, and other effects from the same cylinder when ignited.
- Incense sticks, formed by wrapping pyrotechnic powder with decorative paper or tissue paper tubes, or coating pyrotechnic powder on iron wire, bamboo pole, wooden pole, or paper.
- Products that mainly produce a smoke effect when the smoke is released.
- Modeling toy products with shells of various shapes, imitating created images or actions during or after being fired.
- Friction products that directly ignite and detonate the main body by means of impact, friction, etc.
- Small fireworks placed on the ground when fired, launched from the main body (inner diameter of a single cylinder < 76mm) and bursting into the air with effects such as beads, sounds, flute sounds, or floating objects.
- Projectiles of shells launched from a special launch tool (inner diameter of the launch tube > 76mm) to a high altitude, bursting with various light colors, flower patterns, and other effects.
- Shelf fireworks, products fixing the position and direction of fireworks through a frame.
- Firecrackers, a single firecracker product or a combination of multiple firecrackers.
- Combined fireworks, a firework product composed of multiple single tubes.
Grades of fireworks and firecrackers:
According to the national standard, fireworks and firecrackers are divided into 4 grades, labeled A, B, C, and D, with risks ranging from high to low. All fireworks and firecrackers on the market will be clearly marked with these four grades on the outer packaging.
- Class A: Suitable for products released by professional personnel under specific conditions.
- Class B: Suitable for products set off in large open spaces outdoors, ensuring safety for people or property more than 25 meters away.
- Class C: Suitable for products released in relatively open outdoor spaces, with a safe distance of more than 5 meters from people or property.
- Class D: Suitable for close-range discharge, with a safe distance of more than 1 meter from people or property.
Common types of firecrackers:
There are two types of firecrackers: hand-rolled and machine-rolled, both with red paper on the outside. Hand-rolled firecrackers have a small, tight mechanism, resulting in a crisp sound, while machine-rolled firecrackers are larger and rolled in kraft paper, producing violent explosions. Other common types include cannonballs, two kicks, flag fires, lanterns, Taiping flowers, and flower boxes.
Safely set off fireworks and firecrackers:
Choosing the right place to set off fireworks is crucial. They should not be set off indoors, on people, or objects. Ideal locations are outdoor, open, flat, and barrier-free spaces. Prohibited places include markets, theaters, bustling streets, ancient buildings, mountains and forests, under electric facilities, and areas near inflammable and explosive materials. The setting off of fireworks and firecrackers must comply with the relevant safety regulations of the local government.
To ensure safety during the setting off process, it is essential to consider the characteristics of each type of firework and firecracker:
- For fireworks that spit beads, fix them on the ground or set them off at a 75-90 degree angle to the air to avoid injury or fire.
- For combined fireworks, place them upright and flat on the ground, clamping and fixing them to prevent tilting or tipping during ignition.
- When setting off incense sticks and hanging fireworks by hand, lift the thread end or hang the cotton thread with a small bamboo pole.
- For fireworks in the air and on the ground, pay attention to the surrounding environment, choose a flat ground, light the lead, and leave to watch.
- Nail-hanging and rotating fireworks should be nailed to the wall or on a wooden board and rotated by hand until they can rotate freely before igniting the lead wire and leaving for viewing.
- Hand-held fireworks should not be set off towards the ground.
- Firecrackers should be hung and set off in open spaces outside the house, avoiding holding them in hands after ignition.
Precautions for setting off:
- Minors under the age of 14 setting off fireworks should be accompanied by guardians or other adults.
- Units and individuals setting off fireworks should not throw lit fireworks at crowds, vehicles, and buildings. They should not set off or throw fireworks in buildings, roofs, and balconies. Pedestrians and vehicles should be allowed to pass safely. Fireworks and firecrackers should not be set off in ways that endanger the safety of the state or collectively the personal or property of others.
- Fireworks cannot be inverted.
- If fireworks and firecrackers are ignited blindly, do not ignite them again, and do not extend your head to observe with your eyes.
How to store fireworks and firecrackers:
- It is best to store no more than 15 kilograms at home, keeping a small amount for easier supervision and inspection. Do not unpack the fireworks and firecrackers; keep them intact and store them in cardboard boxes or wooden boxes.
- Place the boxed fireworks and firecrackers in a dry and ventilated balcony or warehouse, taking precautions against insects, rats, corrosion, and moisture. Keep them away from heat and fire, and out of reach of children.
- When storing, be careful not to store the package with the goods and keep away from heating and heating equipment and other hot places. When moving fireworks and firecrackers, handle them carefully to avoid unnecessary danger.
- Be sure to close doors and windows when leaving home to prevent sparks from entering and causing a fire.
Hazards of setting off fireworks:
- Causing fires: Thousands of fires are caused by setting off fireworks and firecrackers during the Spring Festival every year, resulting in building fires and forest fires.
- Fireworks and firecrackers cause casualties: Every New Year’s Eve is a high-incidence period for fireworks and firecrackers, leading to injuries, including those to the face, eyes, broken fingers, and, in severe cases, death.
- Permanent damage to the elderly and those setting off fireworks at close range – deafness.
- Air pollution: Fireworks and firecrackers produce harmful gases such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, leading to respiratory diseases and acid rain.
- Powders and harmful gases