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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hate the UK for allowing fireworks to be sold in shops?

108 replies

MummyOfHnS · 30/10/2011 22:06

Sitting in my house right now and all I can hear are fireworks being set off all around me. Scares the living daylights out of me, and of course my kids are sleeping!!

I love going to organised events so it's not the actual fireworks that do it you see, it's the potentially very irresponsible hands they could be in!

Why are they even allowed to be sold??? AIBU!?

OP posts:
PureBloodMuggle · 31/10/2011 07:08

you can buy fireworks in th rep of Ireland, but trust me it doesn't mean they aren't being let off every night and day.

Also it does seem fom observation that when bought illegally there is less care taken when setting them off (mostly this is by teenagers/children

in a nutshell i'd say it being illegal to buy them makes them more dangerous

PureBloodMuggle · 31/10/2011 07:09

*'can't buy fireworks in rep of ireland'

LoveInAColdGrave · 31/10/2011 07:12

YANBU. They should be restricted to organised events. Home displays scare me from a safety perspective and piss me off from a "twats letting fireworks off until midnight most nights from about September to January" perspective. Grrrr.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 31/10/2011 07:20

YABU. At least, unlike when I was a kid, the fireworks are sold in large packs rather than individual bangers which used to cause no end of problems. Where I live there are a few people that like setting off big industrial-strenght fireworks for various dates... 4th July, New Year etc... but it's all been very quiet so far. Can't believe it 'scares the living daylights' out of you.... Hmm

septembergirl17 · 31/10/2011 10:43

YANBU !! I completely agreed, in fact there are a lot of countries that do not allow the purchase of them unless to insured properly organised events, Rep of Ireland is an example. It is unacceptable that someone can purchase these and set them off at 1 in the morning feet from your door every weekend and that is allowed. And for those who say they are not many organised events then if the purchase the fireworks was restricted then they would be more organised. For those who say "move to another country" because you deared to voice an opinion on the purchase of dangerous firework....well.."what P**ts

valiumredhead · 31/10/2011 10:46

I bought some sparklers from Tesco the other day - I could've bough crack cocaine easier and with less hassle!

Bourbonchops · 31/10/2011 10:52

YANBU. Very dangerous in the wrong hands. People can still enjoy the fireworks- just go to the organised displays.
Too many people try putting on far too extravagant displays in their tiny box gardens- totally unnecessary.

MustControlFistOfDeath · 31/10/2011 11:03

at valiumredhead buying crack at tesco Grin

Serenitysutton · 31/10/2011 13:21

People don't let them off Sep-Jan for Bonfire night! its dwali, Eid, Christmas, Chinese new year. all sorts of celebrations!

wonkylegs · 31/10/2011 13:27

I used to live in the depths of the countryside in a tiny village no chance of an organised display but most of the families got together and had a party each year.... This wouldn't be possible if they were banned.
Fireworks are dangerous but cars far more so... Put it in perspective and let those of us not in the position to attend an organised display a chance to enjoy what is essentially great fun. Banning stuff is a knee-jerk solution and won't stop people being idiots they'll just be idiots some other way!

FrankNCock · 31/10/2011 13:28

YANBU. Last night we heard something hitting our house, thought we were getting egged. This morning found lots of detritus from large fireworks, our neighbours seem to have been pointing them at our house! That or they failed to realise all the crap from their rockets had to land in someone's yard. Couldn't they have gone to an open space at the very least? FFS.

gordyslovesheep · 31/10/2011 13:29

My major issue with shop sold fireworks is that many are not safe for general domestic use - many need a space of 25foot or more - not a tiny garden

I like fireworks - but what was wrong with a small box of Black Cat with a Catherine Wheel and 2 roman candles?

Ormirian · 31/10/2011 13:32

I love them. I like organised displays but I also like having our own little firework display.

Why not ban alcohol, fried foods, cars, fags, dogs, noisy car stereos while we're at it? Everything else that 'other people' enjoy but upset us.

Serenitysutton · 31/10/2011 13:32

I've got to agree with cognito re scaring the living day lights out of you- really? its a just a noise? man up a bit!

GuillotinedMaryLacey · 31/10/2011 13:34
Ormirian · 31/10/2011 13:36

Actually I have managed to think of one good reason to dislike them! Trying to get DS2 to do his homework is impossible when he has to run over to the window every few minutes to watch someone else's fireworks!

maighdlin · 31/10/2011 13:39

YANBU i love fireworks but they are fucking annoying. i love proper firework displays but the crap ones that basically go bang do my head in this time of year esp with the poor doggies going mad. plus wee shits get them and cause damage, once a lit firework was thrown up the stairs and not only scared the absolute living shite out of me but caused damage and the fucker who threw was never touched i don't understand how kids get them, both how are they getting the money and who the hell is selling them to kids? tbh it all seems primitive "sparkly thing go bang huh huh huh huh"

MackerelOfFact · 31/10/2011 13:43

YANBU. Lets buy a load and dump them under the Houses of Parliament by way of a lobby, has that been done before? Oh, wait...

beachholiday · 31/10/2011 16:37

Nearly every night of the week for the last few weeks around here - and we live in Rep of Ireland where they are not supposed to be available. The many dogs in our estate are by now understandably going beserk at the first sign of them. It seems to be very easy for kids to get hold of them.

I can accept people having homemade displays if the parents are at least involved supervising but I thought it was basic consideration to at least let your neighbours know when you were having a display. So at least if you have a very traumatised pet you can take steps. Not sure where or why the fair warning courtesy got lost.

septembergirl17 · 01/11/2011 20:17

beachholiday think you probably hit the nail on the head there, a lot of people on here who agree that the over use of fireworks are a pain in the ass(including myself) would probably not feel so strong about it if people showed each other a bit of consideration and courtesy such as at least a warning if they are going to hold a display inches from your door. I live half way between Bournmouth seafront and Poole seafront so every friday and saturday night all summer I hear the organised displays(when I,m not going to them) and have no problem with these as I know what time they start and finish so it is not a noise thing and the council will clean up any mess if there is one, on the other hand I went on holiday one year over the firework season and I could not believe the state of my back garden when I returned from firework debris after a neighbour held their own display ! now it really is not fair to cause that mess on someone's property If not restricting the sale then they should at least restrict the use of them in smaller spaces

MrBloomsNursery · 01/11/2011 20:18

I just got my fireworks from Aldi!! Ha ha ha.

Notsurehow · 01/11/2011 20:26

I haven't read the whole thread as the title was enough for me to respond.
You cannot buy semtex over the counter or any other such explosives sowhy...fireworks?

I love organised displays and love fireworks but I wish we could leave it to the professionsals.

Yes it is annoying they go on for so long either side of the 5th Nov but my main concern is the damage that can be caused to people,property and pets.

I really do find it odd that we can buy explosives over the counter.....

DrCoconut · 01/11/2011 22:35

I hate loud fireworks and landmine type things. The organised displays are hell - overpriced, crowded and noisy. We do our own with pretty fireworks and home made food. Much nicer.

FairPhyllis · 02/11/2011 04:04

YABU I live in NY state and it is illegal to buy fireworks here, even sparklers. It is miserable not being able to do your own family fireworks on the 4th of July. The community display is full of too many people and is never on the actual day.

Where I lived in the UK I can't think of any community organised displays that wouldn't have been miles away. It is a pain that they go off for a while either side of the day, but most people are capable of using fireworks safely.

Latsia · 02/11/2011 04:53

YANBU. Completely agree with you OP. Suspect the people who don't either live in well-to-do areas and don't have to worry about the local yoof picking up a handful at the corner shop and throwing them at people or have never witnessed an accident on account of someone's back garden carelessness.