Fireworks

What is it exactly that you are trying to achieve?  I'm quite fond of fireworks so I wouldn't want you to be "getting rid of the fireworks menace" thank you very much!  I agree there probably needs to be some "common sense" regulation around them - e.g. not too late at night except on New Years Eve perhaps, not too often, but I think wanting to get rid of them all would not be a very popular thing to be asking for...

I will answer your post but will not become involved in a discussion about fireworks as my mental health is not up to the task. Fortunately, most of the text shown below I have used elsewhere.

For those who have read the Firework Abatement UK website and the RSPCA's web page, it will be clear what I am 'trying to achieve' with those paragraphs of my post. There are no credible arguments against the firework objectives of those organisations.

Menace (main Oxford Dictionaries definition): a person or thing that is likely to cause harm.

From a personal perspective (and I am not alone in this), I would like to see a complete ban on fireworks and I outline some of the reasons why below. At the very least, I would like to see a ban on the use of personal fireworks (something which Manchester's police chief has recently called for).

Fireworks are archaic and inherently selfish. There is no escaping their noise (last year I wore both ear plugs and ear defenders at the same time and could still hear fireworks) and they result in rubbish being indiscriminately distributed; there can be no denying these facts. If I came to where you live and started banging repeatedly and loudly on your doors and windows and threw rubbish around your garden - which, in effect, is what fireworks do - you would (understandably) not be pleased.

People who suffer from heart problems (like myself), asthma or bronchitis need to be careful with regards to fireworks. Additionally, the excessive loudness of fireworks causes problems for people with mental health issues, PTSD, etc.

Fireworks are the largest manufactured source of some types of metal particles in the UK atmosphere and the proportion of pollution from fireworks will only increase as investments are made to reduce other sources of urban pollution. Particle filters are present on nearly all modern diesel vehicles and factory emissions are continually being tightened but firework pollution remains unchecked.

The impact of fireworks on animal welfare is huge. Millions of companion animals (e.g. cats and dogs) are caused great distress by the use of fireworks. The distress may be short-term for most animals but it is unnecessary. The sound of fireworks can lead to injuries and, sadly, death in companion animals. Animals fleeing in panic can also cause traffic accidents.

The impact of fireworks on farm animals and wildlife is no less troubling. Birds can lose orientation for quite some time because of the glare of fireworks, sheep can abort their lambs and animals too near to exploding fireworks can become victims of burns and eye damage, to mention just three examples.

A friend has told me how she has to sedate her horses to try to help them cope with the noise of fireworks. That same friend has also told me how she knows three people who have had to have their horses (including a foal) put to sleep this year due to firework-related injuries. How much more suffering must animals endure due to fireworks?

Every year, guide dogs and other working dogs are forced to retire after being traumatised by the irresponsible use of fireworks. Others have to be sedated, and some even retrained, leaving their owners without mobility for a time.

Martian Tom refers to the use of fireworks during New Year. When I was growing up, fireworks were never part of the New Year celebration. Fireworks are even used on Christmas Day and Armistice Day.

I could go on and on and on and on. The societal negatives of fireworks far, far outweigh the positives.

To those who use fireworks privately (in particular) and those who attend public displays I ask:

• Do you consider the people who suffer from PTSD and the consequences of your fireworks for those people?
• Do you consider the people who suffer from mental health problems and the consequences of your fireworks for those people?
• Do you consider the people who suffer from asthma, bronchitis and heart problems and the consequences of your fireworks for those people?
• Do you consider the people with autism and the consequences of your fireworks for those people?
• Do you consider the people who are admitted to A & E as a result of your fireworks?
• Do you consider the people who lose their sight as a result of your fireworks?
• Do you consider the people who suffer psychological and emotional problems resulting from injuries due to your fireworks?

Do you?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions and you are still involved with fireworks, I ask: why does your want override such suffering? And I ask you to ensure you do not contribute to any further related suffering.

I also ask:

• Do you consider the millions of companion animals who suffer great distress as a result of your fireworks?
• Do you consider the injuries inflicted on animals as a result of your fireworks?
• Do you consider the number of animals which have to be euthanised as a result of your fireworks?
• Do you consider the number of animals killed as a result of your fireworks?

Do you?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions and you are still involved with fireworks, I ask: why does your want override such suffering? And I ask you to ensure you do not contribute to any further related suffering.

If you answered ‘no’ to all those questions, I ask that you begin to consider the consequences of your fireworks and ensure you do not contribute to any further related suffering.

Martian Tom refers to the use of fireworks during New Year. When I was growing up, fireworks were never part of the New Year celebration, Fireworks are even used on Christmas Day and Armistice Day.

Yes... it seems to be a comparatively recent thing, maybe triggered by their use every year in London.  When I was a kid - in fact, right up to my 20s, I think - fireworks were only used at one time of year.  It was kind of expected then, so people could prepare: keep pets in, etc.  Also, fireworks are much louder and more powerful now than the squibs I used to get as a kid. 

You make some very salient points here - and I know of someone with PTSD who has great problems with fireworks.  We also have a client at work with hypersensitive hearing, and he's terrified of fireworks.  In many ways, I agree with you.  It is a selfish thing, and causes a lot of harm and damage.  Yes, I like the spectacle, I have to admit - and it's so easy to forget the other side of it.  I'm glad that you've taken the time to remind us of this.  As someone who cares a lot about animal welfare, I realise the contradiction in my position on this.  You've certainly given me a lot of persuasive arguments to consider.

Your second posting really made me stop and think... it was not at all over the top from my perspective.

This is an issue where strong feelings are justified as you set out so clearly. I appreciated being challenged to consider my behaviour and ethics.

Incidentally I just derived huge pleasure from seeing that your thread has been read 111 times and replied to 11 times. This message is going to spoil that lovely sequence of 1s! 

Your second posting really made me stop and think... it was not at all over the top from my perspective.

This is an issue where strong feelings are justified as you set out so clearly. I appreciated being challenged to consider my behaviour and ethics.

Incidentally I just derived huge pleasure from seeing that your thread has been read 111 times and replied to 11 times. This message is going to spoil that lovely sequence of 1s!