This information assumes the fireworks will be fired by an adult or with proper adult supervision, in accordance with all laws in your area. When I get sufficient inquiries on something about fireworks, I try to provide a web page for that information. This page is going to assume that you live in a location where consumer fireworks are legal and available. If that's not true where you live, I'm sorry about that. Start writing your legislators and tell them you want fireworks legal in your county, state, country or wherever.
Consumer fireworks are much safer now, and more exciting than perhaps they have ever been.
You have decided you want to put on a firework display for you family and friends for some special occasion. In the United States our big fireworks day is July 4, our Independence Day. In the UK it is November 5, Guy Fawkes Day. I'm going to give you some suggestions about how the pros prepare for a display. They are all applicable whether it's for a huge professional spectacular, or the kind of smaller consumer firework show you have in mind.