#233080 - Tue Jun 29 2004 05:47 AM
Fireworks Ban
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Participant
Registered: Fri Jun 11 2004
Posts: 23
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I don't know if thsi is posted in the right section or not so I'm sorry if it is. Anyway I live in San Antonio and we can't do fireworks within city limits. We have to drive 45 minutes or so just to pop them. The reason is because years ago a little girl was killed by a bottle rocket and so her mother took it upon herself to ban fireworks. It is very sad that happened but why should we suffer. So if that's the case then we should ban alcohol because of the drinking and driving. Ban guns if people accidentally shoot themselves. My point is someone messed up when that bottle rocket shot at that little girl. It's meant to shoot straight up not sideways so why should we suffer. Sorry it just gets to me. Thoughts?
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#233081 - Tue Jun 29 2004 06:05 AM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Forum Champion
Registered: Sun Jun 16 2002
Posts: 5337
Loc: Nijmegen/Brisbane
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Over here fireworks are only allowed from noon December 31, until 3 AM January 1st. It's no big deal. I'm surprised to hear that they're allowed all year long in the US!
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The cost of living has not affected its popularity - Loesje
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#233082 - Tue Jun 29 2004 08:07 AM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Pure Diamond
Registered: Fri May 18 2001
Posts: 123698
Loc: Canton
Ohio USA
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Fireworks can be dangerous things. I remember when I was in The High School marching band and part of our display was displaying the flag during fireworks. I only had one corner to hold onto (it was a huge flag as we spread it out). A piece of the "firework"---and a still hot one, I might add---came down and hit me square in the gloved hand I was using. Because I had been trained to totally hold on, I did. But had it hit me in the face it could have been much worse. Where I live private fireworks are not available (firecrackers and sparklers and stuff are). But when it comes to fireworks, really, a professional should be around. And even then you can't really predict if something misfires. I live in a rural town and, sometime after my incident, a guy got blown to bits setting them off here. Fireworks are fun and festive but they can be deadly, too. And were it your child who was killed by one I'm pretty sure that you would gather that they are about more than lights and entertainment. Just my thoughts....
Edited by gatsby722 (Tue Jun 29 2004 08:10 AM)
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"The best teacher is not the one who knows most but the one who is most capable of reducing knowledge to that simple compound of the obvious and wonderful." ... H. L. Mencken
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#233083 - Tue Jun 29 2004 09:00 AM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Participant
Registered: Fri Jun 11 2004
Posts: 23
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I would be devastated if it was my child even though I don't have one. But if it happened then I would more than likely stop using them. I wouldn't try to ban them just because of an unfortunate incident that happend to me.
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The president is taking half our money and he's chilling tax free
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#233085 - Tue Jun 29 2004 12:20 PM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Participant
Registered: Fri Jun 11 2004
Posts: 23
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Quote:
I'm not quite sure what a 'bottle rocket' is, is that some form of small, private type firework? I'm pretty sure that this type of thing is banned here, but people do bring them in from the States. It seems to me that the benfit to society ( fun and lights) is not enough to outweigh the danger.
We have been having the big public fireworks banned here for the last little while, because of our drought. The risk of fire is just too high, fifteen minutes of ooh and ahhh just aren't worth it.
A bottle rocket is a thin yet loud firework. You put it in a bottle(preferably glass to be more safe) and all it does is shoot up in the air and explode. If it was in an empty plastic bottle it would tip over easily obviously. My guess is that it flew sideways and hit her in the chest. it is deadly just as is any firework
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The president is taking half our money and he's chilling tax free
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#233086 - Tue Jun 29 2004 01:53 PM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Administrator
Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999
Posts: 38005
Loc: Jersey
Channel Islands
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Where I live, unless you have a special licence, it is illegal to have fireworks apart from around 5th November, you can purchase them for a few days before that date from selected shops. The period for letting them off is normally about a week, perhaps from the weekend before 5th November to the weekend after. Apart from that only licenced people who do displays can let them off.
For those puzzled by the date, 5th November is the anniversary of a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London, we call it Bonfire Night.
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Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#233087 - Tue Jun 29 2004 02:06 PM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Moderator
Registered: Tue May 15 2001
Posts: 14384
Loc: Australia
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That's the same as Guy Fawkes night, Sue? If it is I learnt something from the Secret Seven  No fireworks can't be brought here (NSW) unless you have a license - usually community groups would have them for displays on Queen's birthday weekend. But when these laws came in my family owned a shop that sold fireworks and there was a big box left over - I wasn't quite popular there for a while.  Was just so many horror stories of people being hurt - trying to hold on to the cracker when it went off (D'oh) and I remember a story of when kids put a bunch of throwdowns (didn't need igniting) in a horses feed and blew it's jaw off when it bit down. I'm not sorry to see them restricted at all.
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#233088 - Tue Jun 29 2004 02:34 PM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Administrator
Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999
Posts: 38005
Loc: Jersey
Channel Islands
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Sounds as if Enid Blyton taught you something, yes it is the same.
When I was 13 a boy threw a banger at me and it hit the side of my head burning my hair, I was just so lucky that it hadn't been a few inches over or it would have exploded in my face. I had been selected as a model for a hair styling display which was taking place the following week, the hairdresser had to cut my hair off really short because of the burnt area, the shop manager was not happy.
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Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#233090 - Tue Jun 29 2004 07:24 PM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Forum Champion
Registered: Sun May 18 2003
Posts: 7842
Loc: Arizona USA
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I wouldn't be sad at all to see all fireworks banned. I don't think I have ever been to a display where at least one person decided to be stupid and (a) hold a lit firecracker in their hand, i.e., bottle rocket, (b) throw a lit firecracker at someone else, or (c) some other inane act. People and property are burned every year because of fireworks.
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#233091 - Tue Jun 29 2004 08:02 PM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Multiloquent
Registered: Wed Nov 12 2003
Posts: 2165
Loc: Nebraska USA
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To clarify, in many if not most parts of the states, fireworks, even the small private type, are only allowed for a one or two day period (varies by state) on or around Independence Day.
I love fireworks, and would hate to see them banned alltogether, though we've had some pretty severe restrictions in the last couple years in my state because of the drought here. But, fireworks are just not that damaging, in my opinion. To say you wouldn't mind seeing them banned because of the injuries and property damage is, well, strange, I think. There are so many other things which are legal, and which cause far more injuries and dollars of property damage than fireworks, even during the days when they ARE legal, and even in my drought stricken state in the US. Alcohol, for instance, during the fourth of July holiday, causes FAR more damage than the fireworks, and yet prohibition of alcohol was tried here and failed, for the most part, and is not likely to be a target again. Heck, whether or not alcohol is involved, surely automobiles cause far more injuries and property damage than fireworks. And each of us may see different pros and cons in each of these things, so I don't really think it is up to the government to decide for us which pros outweigh which cons.
I simply hate to see more and more regulation to save us from ourselves, frankly, and I think that attacking things like fireworks, which do much less damage compared to other, perfectly legal and accessible things, like alcohol, which was mentioned above, sets a dangerous precedent. Honestly, no fun of any kind, unless it can be shown to be completely benign in nature, and at the same time, it cannot be frivolous; it must have some other merits beyond just fun. I like fun for the sake of fun, and pretty lights and sounds (mmm, and the smell, too) are their own merits. I like fireworks, but it is not the fireworks so much as the principle which I defend.
Edited by Lothruin (Tue Jun 29 2004 08:04 PM)
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Goodbye Ruth & Betty, my beautiful grandmothers.
Betty Kuzara 1921 - April 5, 2008
Ruth Kellison 1925 - Dec 27, 2007
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#233092 - Tue Jun 29 2004 08:33 PM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Moderator
Registered: Tue May 15 2001
Posts: 14384
Loc: Australia
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You can't compare alcohol to fireworks. Sure alcohol causes damage but there are restrictions on it to limit the availability of it - which is how it should be with fireworks. Stop kids being freely able to buy fireworks and you might just save a serious injury.
It's fine for us to be a little put out and say I don't need protecting from myself but it's a sad fact that we do need protecting from others that can harm you with things like the fireworks.
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#233093 - Tue Jun 29 2004 08:55 PM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Pure Diamond
Registered: Fri May 18 2001
Posts: 123698
Loc: Canton
Ohio USA
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I, too, am a little puzzled with what alcohol has to really do with fireworks. I don't think that fireworks or alcohol should be "Banned". But I think that both of them should be used with precaution. So should guns, federal spending, etc. I got burned by a firework once---so what? I also got my ribs busted in a bar by a drunk once. Again, so what? I don't believe in stopping anything. I just hope that people can make up their own minds and do stuff sensibly. And, if they screw up, know that THEY were the ones who let it happen. Banning fireworks is just simply off the wall. Being careful as you go with it is not.
_________________________
"The best teacher is not the one who knows most but the one who is most capable of reducing knowledge to that simple compound of the obvious and wonderful." ... H. L. Mencken
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#233094 - Wed Jun 30 2004 12:48 AM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Multiloquent
Registered: Mon Feb 10 2003
Posts: 2167
Loc: Sydney
NSW Australia
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Fireworks are in fact already banned in many states in the USA and Australia. Some fireworks types are merely restricted goods. The following is from this page. Quote:
Availability: In spite of federal regulations and varying state prohibitions, "class C" and "class B" fireworks are often accessible by the public. It is not uncommon to find fireworks distributors near state borders, where residents of states with strict fireworks regulations can take advantage of more lenient state laws.
Fireworks type: Among "class C" fireworks, which are sold legally in some states, bottle rockets can fly into one’s face and cause eye injuries; sparklers can ignite one’s clothing (sparklers burn at more than 1,000oF); and firecrackers can injure one’s hands or face if they explode at close range (U.S. CPSC 1996).
The following injuries figures are also from that site. Quote:
What types of fireworks are associated with the most injuries?
Illegal large firecrackers represent 5% of all firecracker injuries (Greene 2002).
Fireworks-related injuries are most commonly associated with “class C” fireworks, which are sold legally in many states. Firecrackers (25%), rockets (21%), and sparklers (11%) accounted for most of the injuries seen in emergency departments during 2001 (Greene 2002).
Sparklers were associated with the most injuries for children under five.
For children ages five to 14 years and people ages 15 to 24 years, firecrackers, rockets, and other devices (including sparklers) were the source of most injuries (Greene 2002).
That particular site also offers the following. Quote:
Studies suggest that state laws regulating the sale and use of fireworks affect the number of injuries incurred. For example, in one state, the number of injuries seen in emergency departments more than doubled following the legalization of fireworks (McFarland 1984).
Under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the federal government prohibits the sale of the most dangerous types of fireworks to consumers. These banned fireworks include large reloadable shells, cherry bombs, aerial bombs, M-80 salutes, and larger firecrackers that contain more than two grains of powder. Under this same Act, mail-order kits to build these fireworks are also prohibited (Banned Hazardous Substances 2001).
I personally would prefer to see the sale of fireworks restricted to people in the pyrotechnic industry. There will always be fireworks at special events and the limiting of their use is beneficial to young people and the environment.
Here in N.S.W fireworks have been banned for years and whilst I was annoyed when I was younger when I grew up I was less concerned.
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Responds to stimuli, tries to communicate verbally, follows limited commands, laughs or cries in interaction with loved ones.
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#233095 - Wed Jun 30 2004 07:14 AM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Participant
Registered: Fri Jun 11 2004
Posts: 23
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I know Alcohol has nothing to do with fireworks but my point was that more deaths and violence come of alcohol and people don't try to ban that. I wouldn't it want it banned because I do drink a few times but just because something bad happens becasue of people being irresponsible is not my problem.
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The president is taking half our money and he's chilling tax free
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#233096 - Wed Jun 30 2004 09:25 AM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Forum Champion
Registered: Sun May 18 2003
Posts: 7842
Loc: Arizona USA
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Quote:
To say you wouldn't mind seeing them banned because of the injuries and property damage is, well, strange, I think. There are so many other things which are legal, and which cause far more injuries and dollars of property damage than fireworks, even during the days when they ARE legal, and even in my drought stricken state in the US.
Not so strange when you consider that every July 4th, extra firefighters are kept on duty due to the large number of calls being made on that day. Also, many cities Emergency Management Center’s (EOC's) are activated on that night to help handle all those calls.
The following is taken from the Los Angeles County Fire Departments web page:
Quote:
FOURTH OF JULY
Have you ever wondered about the volume of calls received during a peak time with the fire service? Below are statistics received by our Command and Control operations during the recent 4th of July, 2003.
During the 24 hour period of July 4th:
-2,382 phone calls were received in Dispatch
1,149 phone calls rec'd between 1800 and Midnight with
the busiest time btw 2100 & 2200 hours - 347 calls rec'd
--1,092 resulted in Actual Incidents Dispatched
busiest time was 488 dispatched between 1800 hrs and Midnight
Yes, Los Angeles County is a large area, and your community, in all likelihood, doesn’t receive that many calls, but even a fraction of those calls can tax your system and employees.
I’m not sure about LA, but I do know that in my city our employees that are called into the EOC, and the extra firefighters on that night, are paid for their time. To me, that's city money that could have been spent elsewhere. There are more volunteer firefighters in this country than paid firefighters, and these professional individuals are also called away from their family and celebrations more on July 4th than any other night of the year due to misuse and the danger of fireworks.
Fireworks have been banned in many cities and states with good reason. They cause damage and injury. There has been a 75 percent decrease of injuries since firework bans, yet even with these laws in effect, thousands of people are sent to the hospital and thousands of dollars of property is literally sent "up in smoke" because people will travel miles to firework stands to buy a firework and illegally take it to their city and light it. And for what? A bang and a pretty light?
Many cities have a professional fireworks display and people are encouraged to attend these instead of "lighting up" themselves. Even with professionals putting on these shows, there are injuries involved. Fireworks are dangerous. I cannot stress that enough. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a firework misfire. Or have heard of people being killed setting up firework displays. Or people being killed and injured in fireworks factories. Sometimes all it takes it a little spark to set off an explosion. Searching the web will show you how many people are killed or injured due to fireworks all year round.
Yes, alcohol kills people, but I’m not talking about alcohol right now. What I said was “I wouldn't be sad at all to see all fireworks banned.” And I wouldn’t.
Edited to add: I just heard about this on the radio. Rush Limbaugh was making a comment about the government having to get involved to remind the public about firework safety. "Why?" he asks. "Because parents aren't there to do it" and because of people like this. News Article
Edited by ClaraSue (Thu Jul 01 2004 04:02 PM)
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May the tail of the elephant never have to swat the flies from your face.
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#233097 - Wed Jun 30 2004 03:44 PM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Multiloquent
Registered: Wed Nov 12 2003
Posts: 2165
Loc: Nebraska USA
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Alcohol and fireworks don't have a lot to do with each other. (Except that a lot of fireworks injuries in my area are caused by drunk people, but that is another story.) My point is, alcohol shouldn't be banned, and neither should fireworks. There are plenty of restrictions on fireworks, too. In Nebraska, no one under 18 can purchase fireworks, and only certain fireworks are sold to the general public, and those only during specific times of the year. As far as extra firefighters being employed over the Independence Day holiday, there are also extra police officers on duty during that holiday, because of the extra drinking going on. And alcohol is an example of how others can be injured by a person's bad judgement. It is an analogy, and an appropriate one, I think, and my point was I'd no more suggest all alcohol be banned than all fireworks, though I agree with the restrictions placed on each of them.
I know that such laws protect us from others as much if not more as from ourselves, but I just don't see the relatively small number of fireworks related injuries as being enough to do away with them alltogether, limiting MY enjoyment of them. Is that selfish? Sure, and I don't really mind. I also don't want to do away with cars, alcohol, red meat, smoking, swimming pools, dogs or any number of other enjoyable things which are either directly or indirectly related to a small (or even large) number of injuries or deaths. I just can't see outright prohibition as a reasonable answer. Someone else might not be sad to see them all banned, and I guess too each their own, but I sure would.
_________________________
Goodbye Ruth & Betty, my beautiful grandmothers.
Betty Kuzara 1921 - April 5, 2008
Ruth Kellison 1925 - Dec 27, 2007
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#233098 - Wed Jun 30 2004 03:52 PM
Re: Fireworks Ban
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Participant
Registered: Fri Jun 11 2004
Posts: 23
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Quote:
Alcohol and fireworks don't have a lot to do with each other. (Except that a lot of fireworks injuries in my area are caused by drunk people, but that is another story.) My point is, alcohol shouldn't be banned, and neither should fireworks. There are plenty of restrictions on fireworks, too. In Nebraska, no one under 18 can purchase fireworks, and only certain fireworks are sold to the general public, and those only during specific times of the year. As far as extra firefighters being employed over the Independence Day holiday, there are also extra police officers on duty during that holiday, because of the extra drinking going on. And alcohol is an example of how others can be injured by a person's bad judgement. It is an analogy, and an appropriate one, I think, and my point was I'd no more suggest all alcohol be banned than all fireworks, though I agree with the restrictions placed on each of them.
I know that such laws protect us from others as much if not more as from ourselves, but I just don't see the relatively small number of fireworks related injuries as being enough to do away with them alltogether, limiting MY enjoyment of them. Is that selfish? Sure, and I don't really mind. I also don't want to do away with cars, alcohol, red meat, smoking, swimming pools, dogs or any number of other enjoyable things which are either directly or indirectly related to a small (or even large) number of injuries or deaths. I just can't see outright prohibition as a reasonable answer. Someone else might not be sad to see them all banned, and I guess too each their own, but I sure would.
agreed.
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The president is taking half our money and he's chilling tax free
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