To hate fireworks and think they should be banned

[TaliZorah]

In residential areas?

They are so disruptive and dangerous. It's not even limited to 5th November or New Year's Eve they will go on for a week around every celebration plus people's personal parties.

AIBU to think letting off explosives in populated residential areas is incredibly stupid and unfair? As well as people getting injured it's not fair to the wildlife, and domestic animals. My cat has a heart problem and jumps like he's been hit every time the fireworks go off and ends up cowering behind the seat.

Then there's people with PTSD who think it sounds like gunshots, people like me who's illness gets worse with lack of sleep...

They should be organised displays only.

[limitedperiodonly]

The risks with fireworks are massive.

As opposed to what?

To make it easy I'm going to rule out cat shit.

So let's start with:

1. Road traffic accidents
   
2. Climate change
   
3. Paper cuts
   
4. Antibiotic resistance
   
5. Shark attacks

[TaliZorah]

Limited I'm not saying any of those things aren't risky or are as risky. You're basically saying because RTAs are worse we shouldn't care about the risks of fireworks.

[TooOldForGlitter]

I agree with you OP. I'm not going to read seven pages of people arguing themselves stupid, because that's what always happens on these threads, however I do fully agree with you.

The distress caused to vulnerable people and animals is ridiculous. Our neighbours set off Chinese lanterns which caught in the trees at the back of our gardens and set fire. We back onto a railway line so they had to send railway guys and the fire brigade out to deal with it. Why do they get the right to do that?

[wasonthelist]

There are always selfish people who put their own pleasure above others' pain.

.....and that emotive claptrap trumps my contention that the banners are joy-sapping? Really, I'd have no objection to them being quieter and more expensive, but "pain"?

Really glad we don't live in the joyless authoritarian state so many people want (yet).

[Takeparacetamolandstopmoaning]

I don't understand the people with mental illness argument. How can you dictate what the population can do based on how it might affect people who are potentially of unsound mind anyway?

A few years ago a family member had a breakdown which included paranoid thoughts. He was terrified of fireworks. But he was terrified of everything, and the idea of banning everything that frightened him in his paranoid state is ridiculous. It's like the mental health "card" gets pulled on this forum
And there is an unsaid expectation no one can argue with it.

[wasonthelist]

Too old
Chinese lanterns aren't the same as fireworks.

[limitedperiodonly]

What are the risks of fireworks as opposed to the risks of RTAs?

On new year's eve I walked to see my nearest fireworks display. I had to cross a very busy road. I don't have a car. I shut in my cat. He was quite annoyed at being left out of the excitement but I made the executive decision to make him stay in but he's just a cat and I am a human.

[limitedperiodonly]

Paper cuts are bastards. And more of a hazard than firework injuries to the average office worker

[TaliZorah]

based on how it might affect people who are potentially of unsound mind anyway?

What the actual fuck? Most people with mental illnesses aren't of unsound mind actually. Most people manage their condition. That becomes 100xharder if your trigger is loud bangs, lack of sleep etc.

Nice empathy.

[redbinneo]

Talizorah:
What you need to do is to assess the risk of damage caused by fireworks, versus the benefit that people derive from watching them.
When you have done that please report back to this forum.
If you can't be bothered to do the proper analysis, PSTFU.

[Takeparacetamolandstopmoaning]

That's why it says potentially.....


I'm sure most people with mental illness don't expect the world to revolve around them either. Certainly I never did

[TaliZorah]

Red well there are no studies on psychological damage, effect of lack of sleep, injuries to animals, injuries to wildlife, property being damaged.

What benefit is derived? "Ooooooh pretty!" If you put that above the things mentioned you're selfish

[TaliZorah]

no but we expect a bit of empathy and compassion. Or is that too much to ask because it disturbs your fireworks?

[redbinneo]

Tali:
Don't throw a wobbly, just go away and do the sums.

[TaliZorah]

Do you ask everyone to personally undertake a scientific study, or am I just special?

[Takeparacetamolandstopmoaning]

Yes it is too much to ask when it ruins my fireworks.

[Takeparacetamolandstopmoaning]

Even as a lover of fireworks and someone who has lived in 8 different areas in the last 10 years I have never Heard of people being constantly disturbed all hours of the night by them. Surely you deal with that in the way you deal with any other noise pollution - call environmental health and make a complaint or go round and ask them to cut it out?

[TaliZorah]

Then you're incredibly selfish

[redbinneo]

Limitedperiodonly:

On the 24th of December I nearly trapped my finger in the lid of the office photocopier. I've had to take off the last few days to recover, sustained only by alcohol and excess food.
Thank god for the New Years Eve fireworks that brightened up my life.
My cats were quite entertained, and the foxes and badgers still all came round to be fed.

[Takeparacetamolandstopmoaning]

No I'm not. I'm Just not self centred and special

[TaliZorah]

It's pretty selfish to consider fireworks above that of people with PTSD or above animals.

[Takeparacetamolandstopmoaning]

yes, because that's accurate. You're very annoying.

[TaliZorah]

But that's what you're doing. The majority here have agreed that fireworks in a residential areas a bad idea so it's not just me.