And regrettably some recreational fireworks enthusiasts on the 4th of July try so hard still to get around the strict fireworks laws in their jurisdictions especially when it comes to the much louder fireworks, because they like the loud explosions anyway.
BOOBY-TRAPS
This is a variant of the "snappers", with a small charge (with a size something to a ladyfinger firecracker) attached to two strings to either side. To set off the charge, the two strings need to be strongly pulled away each other taut for about 2 seconds - and within about 1/2 to 1 second after you pull it, a loud pop results. They are considered "novelty fireworks" and most states including Illinois allow them for consumer use.
BOTTLE ROCKET
There are two types of them, and some states (especially Illinois) outlaw this because simply these are fireworks that go up in the air and explode. Typically they are small-scale single-shot aerial fireworks which start with a whistle and then a report (pop or bang) following it. They have a red stabilizer with a cylinder attached to it
with the black powder charge inside it an a fuse sticking out. To fire it, the device is put straight up with the stabilizer end downward and the cylinder charge on top of it. Sometimes it is fired from a glass bottle (and that is why they are called bottle rockets). Note
Type 1 - Traditional - fires off with a downward glissando and then a report follows.
Type 2 - Whistling Moon Traveller - probably one of the more famous of the bottle rockets - same fireworks result (whistle and the report), but this time, the whistle has an upward glissando instead of the downward.
M-80
A ground firecracker that sets off a loud bang. Often they were used in military boot camp to simulate the sound of gunfire. They are cylinders with a fuse from the side, with the cylinder skin with a brownish-tan color. The loud sound of it is why some states outlaw it in some of its fireworks laws.
CHERRY BOMB
Usually outlawed in all states as "explosives", this is a variant of the M-80 but it has a circle cylinder in the form of a red (or other colored) cherry with a hollow fuse in it. An example of the use of a cherry bomb before fireworks laws became stricter happened during Disco Demolition Night at White Sox Park on July 12, 1979.
QUARTERSTICK
All states outlaw this as an "explosive device", and possession of a quarterstick can be a felony offense. Often called an M-250, is usually bigger than the M-80, and also with a hollow fuse. Extremely unstable and it can explode at any time. Static electricity can also set it off too.
ROMAN CANDLE
It is almost like a large firecracker in some ways, but it is actually a portable mortar tube with multiple shots of flaming balls that can be treated almost like the multiple-shots in an mortar tube but less dangerous than the former.
Type 1 - Traditional - fires flaming balls usually with colors and with some varieties.
Type 2 - California - you light the fuse and it is like a sparkler in some ways as you hold it in your hand, being careful not to touch the sparkling end. The cylinder is designed to eat away as the sparkling part burns more and more of the cylinder. When the cylinder is about to go away, you drop the cylinder and leave it alone for the rest of the cylinder to be eaten away by the sparkles - and eventually the charge will run out on its own.
Especially for type 1, since it is a firework that shoots, it is illegal in some states (like Illinois). Type 2 is the one that does not shoot at a longer distance and is legal in more states (but not Illinois).
SALUTE
They can be ground or aerial. Ground salutes have a booming report from the mortar shell without being fired in the air. Aerial salutes (most common in professional fireworks displays) are rockets fired from a mortar tube and then burst with a white flash and a loud concussive bang or boom....and the term "salute" was derived likely from the type of blasts common from cannons. This firework gives some strong punch and that is why some states outlaw it.
SATURN MISSILE BATTERY
Basically, this is a type of fireworks cake where there will be streaming shots in the air with lots of glissando whistles. Usually 100 shots to up to 500 shots. The shots that are fired into the air are a bit like the traditional bottle rockets but are inspired likely from the rocket emplacements that are fired in war. Because these are fireworks that are shot in the air and sometimes explode (even with the strong emphasis on the whistle sounds), some states outlaw them (especially Illinois).
SMOKE BOMBS/SMOKE DEVICES
Generally, these are devices that emit smoke without setting off any explosive charge. They are not the traditional smoke grenades like often seen in the military or by riot police departments, so most states allow these devices for consumer use as "novelty fireworks".
The most common smoke device is the stink bomb. Looks like a firecracker in some way, and you place it on the ground and you light the fuse as usual like a traditional firecracker, but when the fuse goes down, you see smoke for 1 to about 3 minutes. Sometimes the smoke will be a single color or a changing series of colors, until it finally goes out. No explosions whatsoever.
SNAPPERS
Also call "snap-its", this is a type of firework that you do not need a fuse with. It is in a shape of something like a piece of white tissue with a long slender handle that you use, to throw it on a hard surface. When it hits the hard surface, detonation happens and you hear a "pop" and that's it. They are considered "novelty fireworks" and most states including Illinois allow them for consumer use.
SPARKLERS
Basically, this emits a spark flourish (usually white-colored)on a long red stick and is legal in most states, including Illinois, because they don't generally shoot or explode and the fireworks stuff remains usually stationary. The main danger of any sparkler is the high heat it gives off. Sparklers can reach up to 1,000 degrees F at the burning end. This is good enough for 2nd or 3rd degree burns if the skin is exposed. If the stuff goes directly into your eyes, this can lead to blindness. So be very, very careful with them. A variant of it appears in novelty firework devices known as trick candles (where, when you blow out a flame on a candle, the flame re-appears like magic). Sparklers had even been used on non-4th-of-July events, especially on certain birthdays.
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