Positives of fireworks

[bangbangpow]

NC for this as I don't want this to descend into a bun fight from the anti-fireworkers.

I've only ever seen negative firework related threads on MN. People spouting on about how they're dangerous (which I completely agree they are if used improperly) and how they noise distresses pets (despite the neighbours dog's ongoing barking distressing me year round).

I personally love fireworks. They're great fun, bring people together and the whole family (multiple families) can enjoy them together.

This is a thread about why fireworks should not be banned and how people use them themselves responsibly.

Personally we, every year, attend a family fireworks party every year on one of my uncles fields. There is a large bonfire, everyone brings a dish and fireworks are set off a large distance from where we all stand watching them. The display lasts maximum 1 hour and the neighbours are also invited.

Please share your positive fireworks stories and reasons they should not be banned (though I completely agree they should be heavily regulated like alcohol).

From a bonfire night lover x

They drive away evil spirits and look pretty

I like watching fireworks, and on Nov 5th in an organised display they are great. What drives me nuts though is that they go off for 3 weeks around Nov 5th now. Which changes things a bit when I have to manage the animals to keep them safe - and that pales into comparison with the distress caused to my mum who has dementia. She can be medicated for one night, but its not safe for weeks

... they noise distresses pets (despite the neighbours dog's ongoing barking distressing me year round).

You must be the poster who asserted she had no sympathy for dogs’ distress.

They make me feel joy, and that's a big thing when you suffer everyday with mental illness. My favourite ones are those that crackle. But I think my favourite thing might be the smell.

Although I have to say I think fireworks shouldn't be for general sale and there should be laws around what days fireworks can be legally set off.

Eyes wide shut, PTSD is a mental illness, like from surviving a war zone, kinda how bonfire night sounds to someone with PTSD.

One of the problems is they are so loud these days , really unreasonably loud I thought it was the spectical rather than noise.

Mumsnet, seriously? Every example I mentioned there (granted in a sarcastic way) were incidences that have happened as a result of fireworks, even when used properly.

I enjoy them each year, but the irresponsible folk and the fun sponges ban everything lot means it can't last.

I suspect we may be letting off our last lot in my more than 50 years of enjoying them without a single mishap this year.
I don't enjoy the big displays and once they are banned only the irresponsible gits will get them, and there will be zero enforcement just as there is now.

I like watching fireworks. I don’t think they should be banned. I do however think they should be restricted to licensed professionals only. It shouldn’t be possible for any random person to buy them and set them off with insufficient regard for the safety and well-being of others. Last week there were teens in our town attacking little kids with lit fireworks while they were out trick or treating. The police came out and they attacked them too. People are too stupid to be allowed to have fireworks without training and licensing.

I love them, we have a family party too. I know their days are numbered, it is a shame.

I think they look great and I have fond memories of bonfire displays that I went to see as a kid
however we seem to have a bit of an arms race thing going on with the noise factor, as I understand it when they were originally invented by the Chinese they were quiet (?)

Unfathomable deletion!

I like watching fireworks. I love the colours and the shapes they make in the sky. I like taking photos of them because it helps me practise my camera skills. I do think they should limit the noise level and have more stringent rules on who can buy them but I'd be sad to see them gone.

@stealthymcstealth I answered what I like about fireworks. They are one of the few things in life that give me pure joy, and I say that as someone who suffers from PTSD.

I'm aware that they cause others distress and the effect they have on animals, and that's why I am all for tighter regulation.

They should only be for big 'organised' displays.

Anyone who thinks all and sundry should be allowed to buy them, has not had to calm down a terrified dog, who takes several weeks to recover.

Trouble is, complete idiots have them (as well as non-idiots who just want them for their kids to see etc...)

So yeah, it SHOULD be for big organised displays only.

SO @bangbangpow YABU!

It's not just the noise, it's the poisonous chemicals they apparently release once spent, not great for the wildlife, just like balloons aren't and those stupid paper lanterns. Who clears all this shit up, certainly not the organisers of the big displays, there were hundreds left on the field when I walked the dog on Sunday

Love fireworks. I think bonfire night is one of my favourite special occasions-getting wrapped up, walking through the autumn leaves, the light and warmth of the bonfire and watching the fireworks with the kids awestruck.

I will admit we also have a small display of mini quiet ones in our garden which the kids also love and look forward to.

But I do wish they could be restricted to the weekend closest to Nov 5th and the night itself and the public probably shouldn’t be able to buy them.

Oh ffs. Why this fixation with barking dogs with relation to fireworks amongst some on here? Funnily enough its not just dogs who are spooked by them, so are other pets and farm animals and indeed humans. A story I saw on social media last week was from a woman who;'s DP had served in the forces and had PTSD and found this time of year really hard because of all the bangs.

Wouldn't be so bad if they were kept for 5th November and New Years Eve only, but too many entitled arses have been setting them off for weeks. Even in broad daylight.

No one wants them banned, just keep them for organised displays like much of the rest of the civilised world and don't sell them to any Tom, Dick and Harry in supermarkets.

I think fireworks are great fun and a lovely time for the family to go to an organised event. However, I would be happy for them to be banned apart from licensed events. Fun shouldn't trump safety.

For every one person who does them (probably) safely like your uncle, there are probably 50 people letting them off in small gardens, densely populated residential areas and under the influence of alcohol.
I dont see how they could be heavily regulated as you suggest - home visits to determine suitability? Proof of residence? Passing a test before being allowed to use them?

I live fireworks but I hate the really loud banging ones. Apart from the animal distress I stay opposite an adult care home, downs syndrome, brain illnesses etc and a lot of them love fireworks too but there are a few who get really stressed. All for organised displays.

I love fireworks displays and have very happy memories of them as great family and friends events .
Bonfire, bonfire toffee , and the excitement as the fireworks were lit at a safe distance by excited Dads who for a night were kids again .
For the night of November 5th. That was it . Now it’s continuous - inexplicably by day and night over the winter months. Summer days and nights into the early hours to celebrate weddings . Fireworks set off into crowds getting organized displays as insurance costs prohibitive . Fireworks being set off in town centres, thrown into shops and onto buses . That’s my only objection .

Getting organized displays banned

Also Bonfire Night really needs to die a death, the whole concept of it is rooted in sectarianism. 'Lets burn a Catholic on a bonfire'.... just seems so wrong this day and age.