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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To believe that fireworks shouldn’t be available to the general public?

628 replies

FatNoMorePat · 02/11/2018 00:53

Fireworks at this time of night!!!

I’m partial to a sparkler don’t get me wrong, but I just don’t agree with fireworks being readily available for joe public. Particularly when people let them off after 11pm!

I’m not saying get rid of them all together but make it stricter so they’re only let off in safe environments by people who’ve had adequate training who then clean everything up and it’s all done and dusted before 11pm.

Am I getting old??

OP posts:
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ChardonnaysPrettySister · 02/11/2018 08:45

I think pet-owners forget that it's not obligatory to have a pet, it's something they've chosen to do

No, as a dog owner I most definitely don’t forget it, at the same time though I would like to point out that fireworks aren’t obligatory or necessary either.

Individual sales can and should be banned for the safety of the general public.

Nanny0gg · 02/11/2018 08:45

Drivemecrazy1974

It's not just about pets!

How about all the wildlife that's terrified? How do you shield them?

Bloody horrible things.

gilmoregal · 02/11/2018 08:46

I completely agree and have been saying this for years.

I love fireworks displays, but absolutely hate them being available for anyone to buy as where I live every year there are stories of people often teenagers being hurt by them.

When I was at school I can still remember a firework being thrown by other kids at the bus stop. I was in year 7 and they were throwing it at some older boys stood there. It absolutely terrified me.

My in-laws do fireworks in their garden every year at this time of year (early evening with the grandchildren) and I don't go as I just don't think they're safe.

Onemorefireball · 02/11/2018 08:48

I 100% agree! I think it would be much kinder to animals if fireworks were limited to a few professional displays rather than random fireworks very night for a week or two.

StableGenius · 02/11/2018 08:49

YANBU. I'm currently dreading the most terrifying night of my year - the PILs back garden firework display.

At least the dc are actually old enough to handle a sparkler now - FIL was all 'go on, let them have a sparkler' as soon as they were able to walk. Er, no. They didn't even want one Hmm.

gilmoregal · 02/11/2018 08:50

Also am absolutely dreading it this year as we tend to have fireworks for weeks around my area and I have a dog who barks as loud as she can at them and this is going to constantly wake up baby. I realise this is my issue, it's my dog and my baby but it will be frustrating.

LaurieFairyCake · 02/11/2018 08:53

Agree. Even though I take my dog to the firework display as she's fine with them. There are far too many wild and domesticated animals disturbed by them :(

ProfessorMoody · 02/11/2018 08:53

YANBU. I have PTSD and fireworks are fucking horrendous for me. I can completely avoid public displays but I can't avoid them being everywhere else. They're dangerous and they scare both pets, livestock and wildlife.

It's very thoughtless to use them. People who do clearly don't give a shit about animals or vulnerable humans.

Ladymargarethall · 02/11/2018 08:54

On our local Facebook page there is a man who runs a club for veterans, many of whom have PTSD. He says this time of year is really hard for them. The worst ones are the random unexpected ones.
It is much cheaper to go to an organised one. Our local Scouts do a fantastic one and to achieve the same for the same money in a back garden would be prohibitively expensive.

LagerthaTheShieldMaiden · 02/11/2018 08:56

I think pet-owners forget that it's not obligatory to have a pet, it's something they've chosen to do

It isn't just about pets. Livestock and wild animals suffer greatly too. As do people with special needs, as do lots of elderly people and, personal to me, my close friend who has PTSD from serving in the army. You can't plan for it because it isn't just one night. If it was an organised display on a specific date at a specific time then people could plan for this and take steps to reduce suffering. It is total madness that Joe Public can go and buy an explosive with hardly any restrictions.

TheGreenWoman · 02/11/2018 09:05

I think we need a few changes to firework legislation. I don't think I'd like them banned entirely, but I think the noise level & power should be limited for those sold to the public. The bigger & louder ones would be limited to public displays. I also feel like we ought to have a limit to what days of the year fireworks may be used on, and outside of those dates, licenses ought to be applied for. There also ought to be more requirements to not use fireworks near animals - farms, stables, etc. It's just pretty much a free-for-all at the moment, and it's neither fair nor reasonable.

Desecratedcoconut · 02/11/2018 09:15

So let's ban Halloween, then ban private fireworks, then we could ban dogs, then we can live risk-free, sterile, orderly lives. Joy.

SummerGems · 02/11/2018 09:16

I think pet-owners forget that it's not obligatory to have a pet, it's something they've chosen to dO. what, you mean like it’s not obligatory to buy explosives and terrorise the local neighbourhood, including wildlife who didn’t choose for you to be in their space? It’s something you choose to do.

SummerGems · 02/11/2018 09:18

The reality is that most fireworks now are far too powerful for private use,and most gardens aren’t actually big enough to let them off safely. Look on the packets as to how much space is required, and the majority exceed the space in your average back garden.

And really, restricting fireworks to organised events only isn’t going to actually lead to anyone losing out is it? People can just attend a display rather than having to set them off in their own gardens.

OftenHangry · 02/11/2018 09:23

"And really, restricting fireworks to organised events only isn’t going to actually lead to anyone losing out is it? People can just attend a display rather than having to set them off in their own gardens."

It will. Because many can't get to organised events which are usually way too busy. And as a bonus our city doesn't even have a display on 5th! Fireworks are over the weekend in one location instead of multiple how it used to be. People are not happy.

LostontheWestway · 02/11/2018 09:24

So let's ban Halloween, then ban private fireworks, then we could ban dogs, then we can live risk-free, sterile, orderly lives. Joy.

Yeah. Because that's what pp on this thread have been saying 🙄

LostontheWestway · 02/11/2018 09:24

Formatting fail. That first paragraph was meant to be bold as something a pp said.

BlackWatchBelle · 02/11/2018 09:28

YADNBU been saying this for years, only licensed organised displays

DietCokeIsBae · 02/11/2018 09:28

I agree, last night we had very loud booming fireworks going off around us for about 90 minutes. I was worried the entire time that DS was going to wake up. Plus I was sat reading quietly whilst DP was doing work at the dining table - we both jumped out of our skin on multiple occasions. Ridiculous.

Desecratedcoconut · 02/11/2018 09:29

I'm offended by your formatting fail. Let's ban formatting errors.

NotToday1601 · 02/11/2018 09:32

I agree OP. I don't love the loud bangs of fireworks but I do love the way they look. However, last night DH and I decided to take our dog for a late walk before bed. It was nearly 10pm and we live on a new build estate (lots of families and young children) as we were walking past a house fireworks started to go off in one of the back gardens. Not expected as it's a school night and presumably lots of children nearby sleeping, our dog was absolutely petrified and we had to rush him home. He's not been the same since and we regret taking him out although wouldn't have expected it on late on Thursday eve on 1st November!

Santaisgettingbusy · 02/11/2018 09:33

Mixed feelings tbh. Lots of lovely family memories having fireworks and lots of oos and ahs. Met my dh and as a dc he was at a bonfire and a lad threw a firework into the bonfire. Went off in dh's face, melted his hands. Not pleasant.
My ddogs love watching out the window - weirdos!

LagerthaTheShieldMaiden · 02/11/2018 09:33

So let's ban Halloween, then ban private fireworks, then we could ban dogs, then we can live risk-free, sterile, orderly lives. Joy

Nobody has said any of those things, apart from the dog one but people will crowbar dog hating into a thread about anything on here so I am going to dismiss that...

Fireworks are explosives that can be bought cheaply with very little restriction by anyone. They seriously harm, and in some cases kill people. They terrify animals, pets and wild. They leave many vulnerable and elderly people unable to leave their houses for fear, for days/weeks before and after 5th November. They have the potential to terrify people with additional needs and those who have PTSD. Aren't those reasons enough to restrict fireworks to organised displays only? I can't see how that is sterile joyless living at all.

Original poster
FatNoMorePat · 02/11/2018 09:39

I think being a licence holder for fireworks would sort out a myriad of problems. I read about that poor blind lady and her dog and it just beggars belief, how can people be so cruel?

I do understand our very vibrant history and the importance of preserving that. Hmm I do enjoy fireworks and this time of year I just think it’s time we tightened up the regulations and not let people throw them at each other in the streets made it a more enjoyable time of year for everyone.

OP posts:
NymanPerkins · 02/11/2018 09:40

YANBU. Unfortunately, a licence would be difficult to enforce, because you can buy mahoosive fireworks online from China. I know someone who used to spend hundreds of pounds buying what were basically like mortar shells every year. If you banned them he would have taken them to some waste ground, let them off and run away. Probably wouldn’t get caught.

But existing laws definitely need to be rigorously enforced.