The dilithium (1), disodium (2), dipotassium (3) and dicesium (4) salt as well as the calcium (5), strontium (6) and barium (7) salt of 5,5-bis(1-hydroxytetrazole) were prepared and characterized including NMR-, IR- and Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The crystal structures of 1, 2 and 4-6 were additionally determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The sensitivities of the salts towards impact, friction and electrostatic discharge were determined by means of BAM (Bundesanstalt fur Materialforschung- und prufung) methods. The potential use of 1, 6 and 7 as coloring agents in pyrotechnical mixtures as well as the utilization of 3 and 4 as additives in near infrared (NIR) emitting pyrotechnical formulations was examined.