A party popper is a handheld

pyrotechnic Pyrotechnics is the science and craft of creating such things as fireworks, safety matches, oxygen candles, explosive bolts and other fasteners, parts of automotive airbags, as well as gas-pressure blasting in mining, quarrying, and demolition. ...

device commonly used at

parties A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often feature ...

. It emits a loud popping noise by means of a small friction-actuated explosive charge that is activated by pulling a string. 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. In some party poppers, the explosive charge is replaced by compressed air. In party poppers with an explosive charge, there are less than of explosive. The streamers are non-flammable for safe use. The charge or compressed air blows out some

confetti Confetti are small pieces or streamers of paper, mylar, or metallic material which are usually thrown at celebrations, especially parades and weddings. The origins are from the Latin ''confectum'', with ''confetti'' the plural of Italian ''co ...

or streamers and emits a popping sound. The charge is often composed of red

phosphorus Phosphorus is a chemical element with the symbol P and atomic number 15. Elemental phosphorus exists in two major forms, white phosphorus and red phosphorus, but because it is highly reactive, phosphorus is never found as a free element on Ear ...

and strong oxidizer, such as potassium chlorate and potassium perchlorate. There are also party popper revolvers on the market, which use a

Speedloader A speedloader is a device used to reduce the time and effort needed to reload a firearm. Speedloaders come in a variety of forms for reloading revolvers, or the magazines used with other types of firearms such as rifles and shotguns. Generally ...

- style cartridge filled with six-party popper charges inserted into a normally colourful 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 that 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.

Safety and precautions

Party poppers are able to cause severe eye trauma and other facial injuries, and users are advised to aim them away from people. It is also recommended to avoid dismantling party poppers due to potential injury. Parents should supervise their children and instruct them on the proper use. Party poppers are considered as "indoor

firework Fireworks are a class of low explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large number of devices in ...

s", and therefore are subject to legal regulation in some jurisdictions. In the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

, party poppers cannot be sold to people under the age of 16 years old.

Emoji 🎉

The party popper is now a popular emoji, first introduced in 2015. It is also known as the "tada" emoji.

References

Types of fireworks Popper, party {{Pyrotechnics-stub