A signal flare is a smoke flare that alerts someone to your presence. Since the early days of rocket design, military and civilian authorities have counted on smoke and burning-light flares to communicate and save lives. Smaller units are now readily available for campers and hikers. Since many people prefer to make their own camping and hiking supplies, there is a general interest in both smoke and color-burning flares. Smoke flares can be easily be made.

Step 1: Things You'll Need

1) Tube (PVC, cardboard tube, anything will work really)

2) Either sodium perchlorate or potassium perchlorate (Potassium nitrate will also work)

3) Powdered Sugar

4) Mason jar or shake tumbler

5) Steel skillet

6) Wood strike-anywhere matches

7) Tissue paper

8) Duct Tape (Electrical tape will work better)

9) Sparklers (Any colour (bright colours recommended))

Step 2: Making of the Fuel

Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 3/4 cup potassium nitrate (sodium perchlorate or potassium perchlorate will also work) in a container or jar. Shake and turn the container to allow the material to be thoroughly mixed.

Place the flare mixture in a heavy skillet and heat it slowly. Stir the mixture constantly. As the flare gum heats it will take on the consistency of melted plastic or chewed gum. Once the material gets to a consistency that allows it to be rolled over in the skillet, it is done.

Now just crush all the sparklers into powder.

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Step 3: Last Step

First put some crushed sparklers in the base .

Then,Shape the fuel flare material into the cylindrical cardboard while adding some more layers of fireworks in between the fuel.

Now,. Insert three to Four matches -- wood-end first -- into one end of the flare. Push them in until the base of the match head is touching the material

Wrap the flare in tissue paper and provide a 2-inch long paper end. Twist the end of the paper. You can cover the remaining part with Tape for better handling except for the twisted paper part (the fuse).

Now the signal Flare is Ready. :)

Step 4: Tips

If you want to add color to your flare you can add metallic salts such as magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) to make it white. Strontium Nitrate to make it red . Barium will burn a pale green. So will borax. Ferrous sulfate burns a green too. Potassium permanganate burns purple.

You can also add Food colour into the mix while it is being made on the skillet (making fuel step)