It's approaching that time of year when we are all advised to keep our pets indoors on bonfire night. Yet if you live in an area like mine you'll have already been subjected to private firework displays, which will continue for weeks to come (sometimes right up until New Year). What this does for the local pets and wildlife is anyone's guess. And then there are the morons who think it great fun to throw these things around in the street. I would also guess that our emergency services have better things to do with their time than respond to incidents caused by people treating explosives as though they were harmless toys.

With modern fireworks becoming every more powerful (some recommend a safety zone far in excess of the size of most people's properties), I think that it's time that the sale of all fireworks to the general public is banned and that they should be limited to properly organised displays on specified days. Or am I being a killjoy?

This post was last modified: 28-10-2007 10:49 AM by TimberWolf.

I wouldn't say you are being a killjoy Timberwolf. I think we certainly need to start considering bonfire night more seriously.
I also live on an estate where fireworks are often heard, sometimes not even anywhere near November and it can be very unsettling for everyone, particuarly as our gardens are tiny.
My cousin has also got a fireworks scar from the bottom of his jaw line to the top of his cheekbone from when he was younger and playing around with them. He's lucky his face is still intact.
I don't see why restricting the use of fireworks to certain nights and monitoring fireworks sales etc would do anything but good.

Oh, I thought it was just Americans who liked to make a lot of noise with fireworks! Independence Day (aka 'The Fourth of July') is a monstrously disturbing holiday, and additionally takes place when things are bone dry here.

Ugh!

Kingfisher

I've thought about this as well - (especially in the last few nights), and I too think it's time the sale of fireworks to the general public was stopped. Saying this, as TimberWolf suggested, makes it sound as though you're trying to spoil the fun, but people just can't be trusted with them now, especially with these awful little 'shops' that spring up in empty premises, just to sell fireworks for the 5th - often selling to anyone who's got the money, no matter the age.

Injuries and accidents go up every year. More illegal fireworks seem to be around (not well made, and often far too powerful).

It's time for licensed, properly run events only. They're usually better, and much more fun anyway.

Here, here

Can I just add .I agree whole heartedly with all the comments . It has been horrendous at work. Luckily we both missed the worst of it as we were on leave. The only thing is that fireworks are BIG money & I do not think that there is any hope of making them not for public use unless legislation is used.

This post was last modified: 07-11-2007 04:33 PM by tibbar.

Sorry but I think your being a killjoy! A good argument can also be put forward for baning Christmas too, more murders and assaults take place over Christmas than any other time of year, police and emergence services are starched to breaking point and god knows what it contributes to our carbon footprint and what about the wast and cost, Hell I could go on forever but I wont. Oliver Cromwell band Christmas and I think you must be related to him thinking of baning fireworks. If we ban everything that does damage we would be left with virtually nothing. Merry Christmas!!

This post was last modified: 11-11-2007 11:45 AM by treetops.

I can see both points of view. Fireworks provide a great source of entertainment when used wisely. But on the other hand, they are basically exploding rockets which can be seriously damaging if in the wrong hands. If everyone was careful then there wouldn't be a problem, but unfortunately not everyone is. Another point is that fireworks are still going off near my house as we speak, and that isn't good for animals who have to put up with it.

Well, I'm with TimberWolf - I've been thinking along the same lines myself, for quite a while now.
Unfortunately, a few idiots spoil it for everyone else. I've seen first hand how dangerous they can be, when once we had to call an ambulance for one poor lad who'd had a firework chucked in the hood of his coat whilst walking down the street
I think it's also a concern about the length of time that they go on nowadays. If it was just 2 or 3 nights a year, then fine, but they have been going off by us since September. I thought that Bonfire weekend would be the noisiest, but this weekend was actually worse!
I don't have any pets myself, but I really do feel for those that do, as they do seem to get very distressed. I am also concerned about the effect on local wildlife - especially when you think that usually one loud bang is enough to give most small creatures a fatal heart attack
So, unfortunately, I am of the opinion that it would be better if we were restricted to public displays on certain dates.

Hhhmmmmm..... I don't remember advocating the banning of fireworks, just their sale to the general public.

As for being related to Cromwell......

This post was last modified: 12-11-2007 11:21 AM by TimberWolf.

It seems that I'm in the minority when it comes to baning fireworks, but that doesn't surprise me, I like playing devils advocate, so lets get cracking and ban them! As you say they upset wildlife are dangerous and a nuisance but wait a minute so are DOGS they can be dangerous, harm wildlife and can cause a nuisance all year long, come to think of it so can CATS, cats kill untold thousands of our wildlife each day, Hell I'm starting to warm to this baning lark, lets ban all the above.

Has anyone ells got thing that they would like to ban, ill get back to you with my list but I would prefer to look for other ways to change thing rather than take the unimaginative and unfair alternative of baning the sale of all fireworks to the whole population, most of which are responsible adults.

This post was last modified: 12-11-2007 03:22 PM by treetops.

Okay then, what 'imaginative and fair' alternatives would you suggest?

I think I would only allow fireworks to be sold to the public in mixed £30.00 boxes. Secondly I would not allow bangers and firecrackers to be sold at all and lastly I would only allow fireworks to be sold for the two weeks leading up to fireworks day. I think that the above would help stop the antisocial behaviour associated with fireworks day but still allow people to enjoy fireworks day at home. We are losing so many English traditions already so lets not loose another one.

What has happened to compromise? it was something we did so very well, now its all about pandering to minorities without thinking about the rest of us.

This post was last modified: 13-11-2007 10:42 AM by treetops.

Not sure that the suggestions would have an impact. What effect would placing a £30 limit have? Those who wanted to but more would just buy from a number of vendors. Or are you suggesting that we should ban the sale of certain (more powerful and expensive) fireworks to the public? People would also stockpile them for use at times other than bonfire night (as they did for the millenium celebrations). Sorry, but you haven't convinced me of the need to cater for private displays.

And there is also the possibility that they could be bought and sold illegally on the black market.
Not bad suggestions though - I agree with you about losing our traditions