Party popper

Party poppers

A party popper is an object commonly used at parties. It emits a loud popping noise by means of a small friction-actuated explosive charge that is emitted by pulling a string.[1] The explosive charge comes from a very small amount of Armstrong's mixture (a highly sensitive explosive) in the neck of the bottle-like shape.[2] In some party poppers the explosive charge is replaced by compressed air. In party poppers with an explosive charge, there are less than 0.25 grains (0.016 g) of explosive charge. The streamers are non flammable for safe use. The charge or compressed air blows out some confetti or streamers and emits a popping sound.

There are also party popper revolvers on the market which use a speed loader style cartridge filled with six party popper charges inserted into a normally colorful plastic device loosely resembling a pistol or revolver. Its functionality is very much the same as a pistol, the depression of the trigger apparatus rotates the chamber so a live charge is presented to a hammer, which falls onto a regular cap ring embedded in the bottom of the chamber. The chambers are one-use only.

Party poppers are generally listed as a novelty item or trick noise maker and are sold year-round in shops which sell party supplies.

Safety & Precautions

Was yours a puff? Don’t sweat it, avoid reconstructing party poppers as they could just blow up in your face, literally. Supervise children and instruct them on proper use.[3]

After several listed & unreported cases,.[4][5] Always trigger positioned away from a person's face, as they may cause severe eye trauma or other facial injury due to air pressure it builds up with the explosive charge made up of red phosphorus and strong oxidizer, such as potassium chlorate and potassium perchlorate.

Party poppers are considered as "indoor fireworks", and therefore are subject to legal regulation in some jurisdictions. For example, in the United Kingdom, party poppers cannot be sold to persons under 16 years old.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "party popper". Oxford Dictionaries. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  2. ↑ Colin Bradley. "How Fireworks Work". Pyro Universe. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  3. ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/sarathkumar-sustains-minor-injury-on-left-eye/article2633495.ece
  4. ↑ http://www.grahakseva.com/complaints/172980/party-popper-caused-vision-injury
  5. ↑ http://vspblog.com/new-years-eve-eye-safety/
  6. ↑ Lorraine Conway (2011-11-03). "Regulation of fireworks" (PDF). House of Commons Library. Retrieved 2013-05-10.


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