How Do Sparklers Work?
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Sparklers are hand-held pyrotechnic devices that burn for up to a minute, producing bright showers of sparks. They are composed of several different compounds, including fuel, an oxidizer such as potassium nitrate, powdered iron or other metals and some type of binder.
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The purpose of the powdered metal in the mix is to produce different colored sparks. Each type of metal produces different colored sparks when burned. Aluminum, for example, produces white sparks, while iron produces orange sparks, and ferrotitanium produces gold sparks.
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The fuel used for sparklers is a combination of charcoal and sulfur. The fuel and the oxidizer are bound together with sugar or starch and mixed with water to create what is called a "slurry." When a wire is dipped into this muddy mixture, it will become coated, and form a sparkler when it dries. The slurry can also be poured into a tube mold and dried to become another style of sparkler.
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Once the slurry has dried, the sparkler, now in the shape of a stick, is ready to be lit. Since the oxidizer and the fuel are mixed evenly with the binding and the powdered iron or steel, the sparkler burns slowly and evenly down its length.
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Sparklers are very popular during July 4 celebrations, despite the safety issues present with any burning object. Sparklers are responsible for many brush-fire or forest fire outbreaks, due to the fact that they are most popular during the summer months, when foliage is at its driest. An important safety tip for anyone using sparklers is to always ensure that the sparkler is extinguished before discarding it. Keeping a container of water available to dip each sparkler in after burning removes the risk of accidentally starting a fire.
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In addition to the potential fire hazards of using sparklers, they also pose an injury risk to children. Sparklers give off heat in excess of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, but parents routinely allow young children to play with them as though they were simply another holiday toy. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission's Annual Fireworks Report shows their dangers. According to the 2005 report, almost one half of the injuries to children under the age of 5 were caused by sparklers. The large number of injuries to this age group is due to the combination of the extreme heat produced by the sparklers, and the fact that few parents realize that there are risks and dangers associated with the sparkler.
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