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China Fuels Boom in Backyard Fireworks

Cheap exports drives U.S. trend for do-it-yourself shows

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 29, 2007 3:58 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Inexpensive fireworks imported from China have led to a resurgence in do-it-yourself, backyard fireworks displays in the US, even as public shows have been scaled back due to post 9/11 regulations. Fireworks sales are soaring in this country, with revenue up to $900M last year, reports the Wall Street Journal.  At the same time, injury rates have apparently declined.

China says it makes 75% of the world's fireworks. Most of the bottle rockets, Roman candles and sparklers come from the town of Liuyang where firecrackers were supposedly invented 1400 years ago. In China, flash and noise are thought to fend off evil spirits, and lighting firecrackers is the traditional way of celebrating major life events such as a marriage or a business launch.

China Celebrates Chinese New Year
China Celebrates Chinese New Year   (Getty Images)
Fireworks explode over a medieval castle during a concert in small town Mir, 95 kilometers (60 miles) west of Minsk, Belarus, early Saturday, June 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Fireworks explode over a medieval castle during a concert in small town Mir, 95 kilometers (60 miles) west of Minsk, Belarus, early Saturday, June 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)   (Associated Press)
Fireworks explode over Tian Tan Buddha at Po Lin Monastery on Hong Kongs Lantau island Saturday June 23, 2007. The event is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Hong Kongs handover to China. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Fireworks explode over Tian Tan Buddha at Po Lin Monastery on Hong Kongs Lantau island Saturday June 23, 2007. The event is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Hong Kongs handover to China. (AP Photo/Kin...   (Associated Press)
Fireworks explode above Antoni Gaudi's unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral seen in this June 1, 2002 file photo in Barcelona, Spain. Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, an unfinished Barcelona landmark that is considered a marvel of modern architecture, has lacked a construction permit for more than a century, city officials acknowledged Friday June...
Fireworks explode above Antoni Gaudi's unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral seen in this June 1, 2002 file photo in Barcelona, Spain. Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, an unfinished Barcelona landmark that...   (Associated Press)
Broadcasting Ltd., opened its first casino Saturday in the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau. AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Broadcasting Ltd., opened its first casino Saturday in the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau. AP Photo/Kin Cheung)   (Associated Press)
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China • fireworks • bottle rockets • sparklers • Liuyang

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