Facts About Fireworks from Fireworks Direct UK

Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for religious, entertainment & artistic events.
Firework displays are a collection of pyrotechnic devices ignited in a pre-determined order to entertain a crowd.
Firework displays can take the form of wedding displays, firework competitions, or the most common form (in the UK) of a Bonfire Night display.
Fireworks have 4 primary effects - noise, light, smoke and floating material.
Firework displays have become not only popular but more and more common throughout the world and are often now the main focus of religious or cultural events.
The earliest record of the detonation of fireworks dates back to 7th Century China, the country where they were invented.
Chinese culture dedicated that fireworks be used for many different forms of celebration and from here popularity of fireworks spread.
To this day China remains the largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks in the world.
The rocket is the most weel-known form of firework, and the first were used in war. Rockets can reach speeds up to 150mph.
The first fireworks are thought to have been made in China around 2,000 years ago. These are known as Chinese Crackers which are illegal in the UK.
The first recorded fireworks in England were at the wedding of King Henry VII in 1486.
By the time Queen Elizabeth I came to power (1558-1603) there existed a title of 'Master of Fire' for the person who created the best fireworks.
The word for firework in Japanese, 'hanabi' means 'fire-flower'.
50% of all firework accidents happen to minors due to them handling the hot metal of sparklers after then have seemingly finished burning.
Englishman Captain John Smith was the first person to put on a firework display in the USA. This became a better-known fact in the story of Pocahontas.
3 sparklers burning together generate the same heat as a blowtorch.
The world's largest single firework was a firework shell set off in Japan in 1988. The shell weighed over half a tonne and was used during a festival.
In the UK, throwing a firework in a public place is a criminal offence punishable with up to a £5000 fine.

Firework Safety:

Last year over 900 people in the UK required hospital treatment from accident with fireworks, so here are some firework safety rules to follow.

Never play around with fireworks - they are explosives and can cause harm.
Only adults should light fireworks.
Stand at least 25 meters away when watching fireworks and do not entre the firing sit for at least 12 hours after a firework display unless you absolutely have to.
Never go near a lit firework and never return to a firework, even if you think it has failed to ignite. It could go off unexpectedly.
Fireworks frighten your pets, so keep then indoors, or better still have them looked after by someone who lives nowhere near your fireworks site.
If given a sparkler, make sure you are wearing gloves and hold it at arm's length. DO NOT touch your sparkler even when you think it's gone out. Place it in a bucket of water instead.