Phantom Fireworks Bring New Year's Celebrations to New Heights

Phantom^® Fireworks Bring New Year's Celebrations to New Heights

(YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio) - The use of consumer fireworks for New Year's Eve celebrations in America continues to rise each year. According to data released by the U.S. International Trade Commission, consumer fireworks use has more than tripled from 87.1 million pounds in 1992 to 283.2 million pounds in 2006.

"Ever since the millennium celebrations of 1999 and 2000, more and more people are incorporating fireworks into their New Year's Eve parties and events," said William A. Weimer, vice president of national fireworks retailer Phantom^® Fireworks. "This is obviously a bigger phenomena in southern states," said Weimer, "but in good weather, we get a big bump in sales for New Year's Eve in the northern states as well."

"The New Year's fireworks sales are actually greater in Hawaii than the Independence Day sales, and there is a high volume of New Years fireworks sales in Louisiana," said Jerry Bostocky, Vice President of Sales for Phantom.

Phantom^® Fireworks operates 55 showrooms in 13 states across the country, providing an array of pyrotechnic delights, from sparklers to thunderous aerial displays, year round.

"There has been a considerable spike in sales around the New Year's holiday in the past several years," Weimer said. "People are coming to realize that fireworks add an exciting dimension to all types of celebrations throughout the year, not just the patriotic ones."

Weimer added that it's important to keep fireworks safety in mind. "We go to great lengths to ensure the safety of our products," he said. "It's vital that people follow the instructions on the packages and use good common sense when setting off fireworks."

When used safely and properly, fireworks provide hours of wholesome family entertainment. Visit fireworks.com for a complete list of safety guidelines.

Headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio, Phantom^® Fireworks also owns and operates the Diamond Sparkler Manufacturing Company, the lone remaining manufacturer of sparklers in the United States, and the Mahoning Valley Phantoms Junior "A" Hockey Club of the North American Hockey League. Diamond produces up to 800,000 sparklers per day during its peak season. Phantom^® Fireworks' award-winning, bilingual web site, www.fireworks.com, received over 650 million hits last year and could receive as many as one billion hits in 2007.