Safety, Risk & Social Media Disclaimer

Read this before you buy or use any Shutter Bombs product. Colored smoke devices are pyrotechnic-class products. They ignite, burn at high temperature, and produce dense smoke and hot residue. They are fun and safe when used correctly — and genuinely dangerous when they are not. By purchasing from Shutter Bombs you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to everything on this page.

1. Do not copy what you see on social media

The single most important thing on this page: do not use photos or videos you find online or on social media as your instructions for how to use colored smoke.

  • Much of the dramatic content you see is shot by trained professionals, stunt teams, or experienced photographers working under controlled conditions.
  • Those shoots often include safety measures you cannot see in the frame — fire extinguishers, spotters, protective equipment, permits, cleared distances, and people who accept responsibility for the risk.
  • Social media rewards the most extreme-looking shot, not the safest one. Holding a device too close to your face, igniting indoors, or pointing it at another person may look great on camera and still cause serious injury or fire.

The only correct instructions are the printed instructions on the product and the guidance on this website. If a technique you saw online conflicts with our instructions, follow our instructions.

2. You must be 18 or older

Our products are sold for use by adults only. By placing an order you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, whichever is greater), that the products are for your own lawful use, and that you will not provide them to or allow them to be used by minors. Colored smoke devices should never be handled by children.

3. Assumption of risk

Colored smoke devices involve inherent and unavoidable risks, including but not limited to: fire, burns, eye and skin injury, respiratory irritation, property damage, staining, and reduced visibility. By purchasing and using these products you voluntarily and knowingly assume all such risks, whether or not they are specifically described here, and you accept full responsibility for your own safety and the safety of everyone and everything around you.

4. Your safety responsibilities

Before every use you are responsible for the following. This list is not exhaustive — always read the instructions printed on the product itself.

  • Read the instructions first. Every product ships with directions. Read them fully before igniting anything.
  • Use outdoors, in open, well-ventilated areas. Never ignite colored smoke indoors, in enclosed spaces, or near anything flammable (dry grass, brush, fuel, fabric, decorations).
  • Wear appropriate protection. We recommend gloves and eye protection. Tie back loose hair and avoid loose clothing.
  • Keep the device pointed away from yourself, other people, animals, and structures at all times. Never aim a smoke device at a person or pet.
  • Mind the wind. Know your wind direction before ignition and keep bystanders upwind.
  • Respect hot residue. The body of the device and any slag or residue stays hot. Do not touch it, and do not set a burning or spent device on a surface that can scorch, melt, or catch fire.
  • Use the correct ignition technique. For wire-pull devices, pull the ring firmly to the side — never straight up — then hold or place the device as instructed. Never look directly into the emitter.
  • Have water or a fire extinguisher nearby and never leave a burning device unattended.
  • Never modify, open, combine, or repurpose a device, and never attempt to relight a dud. Follow the instructions for handling a device that fails to ignite.
  • Store and transport safely — cool, dry, away from heat and ignition sources, and out of reach of children.

5. Health & smoke inhalation

You should not deliberately breathe any smoke. While our colored smoke is designed to be non-toxic, inhaling dense smoke of any kind can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions should take particular care and keep their distance. Keep smoke away from infants, the elderly, and anyone with breathing difficulties. For detailed composition information see our Safety Data Sheets.

6. Legal compliance is your responsibility

Laws governing the purchase, possession, and use of colored smoke and pyrotechnic devices vary widely by country, state, county, city, and venue. You are solely responsible for knowing and complying with all applicable laws and for obtaining any required permits or permissions before use. Helpful starting points:

Always get permission from the property owner or venue, and never use colored smoke where it is prohibited or where it could be mistaken for an emergency.

7. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Shutter Bombs and its owners, employees, and suppliers are not liable for any injury, death, loss, or damage of any kind arising out of or related to the use, misuse, or inability to use our products, including injuries or damage to you or to third parties. Our products are sold strictly on the condition that they are used in accordance with the printed instructions and all applicable laws. If you use a product in any manner contrary to those instructions, you do so entirely at your own risk and you release Shutter Bombs from any and all resulting liability. To the extent any liability cannot be disclaimed, it is limited to the purchase price of the product.

8. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Shutter Bombs from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your use or misuse of our products, your violation of any law, or your breach of this disclaimer.

9. Your agreement

By purchasing, receiving, or using any Shutter Bombs product, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this disclaimer, that you are at least 18 years old, that you understand colored smoke devices carry real risk, that you will use proper safety equipment and follow all instructions, and that you accept full responsibility for safe and lawful use. If you do not agree, do not purchase or use our products.

Questions about safe use? Contact our team — we would genuinely rather answer a question than see anyone get hurt.

This disclaimer is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. It does not replace the safety instructions printed on each product.