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

I live in Spain (always post on the firework threads). They absolutely love fireworks and barely a week goes by that you don't hear a display somewhere locally. They always have them for fiestas and weddings, often during they day or at odd times very late at night. The craziest is a big festival every spring where kids aged 2 and up have boxes of firecrackers and you see quite young kids with slow burn fuses setting off fireworks in the street. It does indeed seem pretty dangerous but I love how exuberant it is and the pets get used to it. Our dog is not bothered by fireworks in the slightest. Not judging anyone else's point of view here, just giving a different perspective. I love fireworks.

I love them. They make me so happy!

OK fine, I'll try it without the sarcasm.

Fireworks are lovely and for many it's a nice tradition but I am just not sure if the positives outweigh the negatives. Sure they could be banned but I just wish people would be considerate enough to realise how traumatic and harmful they can be and put that above their own wants.

I bet a lot of you try to reduce your plastic use after seeing the affect on sea life so why is a dolphin wrapped up in a plastic bag any different to a deer running into traffic after being startled by a firework?

You wouldn't intentionally startle an elderly person or make a loud bang near someone with PTSD, you wouldn't go up to a dog with stress induced epilepsy and antagonise it until it had to be rushed to the vets, you wouldn't intentionally set fire to the hay for nearby livestock injuring them.

I just don't get it. Is it a out of sight out of mind thing? I think those who believe because they are using fireworks responsibly they aren't causing any harm should look at the negatives instead of brushing past them to avoid tainting their own enjoyment.

I love fireworks. I prefer organised events, home ones do make me nervous ....

I live in Sussex and bonfire season here lasts 3 months Sep- Nov. I love the processions, bonfires and fireworks. I am a member of a bonfire society and will be part of the largest bonfire celebration in the UK tomorrow and cant wait.

Then I hope noone ever explains the (Christian) story of Easter to you @ManonBlackbeak (!).

Agree @Stealthymcstealth

Why was your first post deleted? I didn't see it.

That sounds amazing DDiva

The problem is you can’t restrict fireworks to sensible people only and prevent the numpties getting hold of them. The only solution is a blanket ban for everyone except licensed professionals.

I don't know what point you are making Lockhart?

You said you thought bonfire night should be consigned to history because it celebrates the burning of a Catholic on a bonfire. Which to my mind is no different to celebrating a Christian being crucified at Easter.

A lot of our traditions have rather grim backstories, usually involving death (or at least gore). If you tried banning them we'd be much poorer culturally!

It really is @Passthecherrycoke
A whole town shuts down for the evening. It is so popular authorities have actively cut transport links to limit numbers. But it will go on ....

The problem is you can’t restrict fireworks to sensible people only and prevent the numpties getting hold of them. The only solution is a blanket ban for everyone except licensed professionals.

This.

For all the people who used them responsibly and keep them for the 5th November only there will be many others who let them off when and wherever they like without concern for anyone other than themselves. Blame them for any future ban.

Earlymorningfog, I sarcastically wrote it from the veiw of someone who likes fireworks. Burning livestock, traumatised veterans etc all being a jolly good laugh. I may of gone a little overboard (not).

We love fireworks, we could see someone's fireworks tonight in their garden from our car - bonus display! Not just this time of year as well, you get loads on New Year's Eve in both areas I've lived in.

Agree that they are lovely to watch, and are fun whether it is a family in their garden or a larger gathering of friends and family/organised display. We've had some brilliant family parties with fireworks and like the majority of users, it's been fine and not irresponsible.

Anyone thinking the fireworks here are strong should try other countries though as the PP said, what they sell over the counter is astonishing!

I bloody love fireworks!!! I have really fond memories of bonfire night, we all used to pile round to my uncles house and we'd have amazing food and some brilliant fireworks and it was one of the only times of the year we were all together!!

This however was on bonfire night (Nov 5th) I have a little dog who's not a huge fan of them, and my grandad has Alzheimer's and they really scare him! I think they should be set off on bonfire night only, we've had them constantly here for a good week already and they'll probably go on for a couple of weeks yet!

But still, all things considered I'm a big fan (if used responsibly) I don't know if I've answered your question 😂

You said you thought bonfire night should be consigned to history because it celebrates the burning of a Catholic on a bonfire. Which to my mind is no different to celebrating a Christian being crucified at Easter.

I though it was his rising from the dead that was celebrated at Easter?

They're beautiful I agree. But I mean fuck severe burns every year from misuse, wildlife, the elderly, people with PTSD, sleeping babies, pets and anyone who isn't thrilled to have to listen to them for the surrounding week.

@Stealthymcstealth

Oh OK. you naughty personage!

Yes but he does have to be crucified first. If not his rising from the dead becomes rather less miraculous, @ManonBlackbeak.

I'm torn. I love them, but my cats don't. I'm very happy with fireworks, provided they aren't every bloody night (as they are in my neighbourhood). There's no getting away from them and they terrify my cats. I can take steps to keep them calm (ish) and safe, but not every day for weeks on end.

I don't want to see them banned altogether, so why can't we just have organised fireworks on set days and times, so we can calm our pets down properly?

Wouldn't it be fantastic if the millions of pounds spent on fireworks each year went instead to some really worthwhile causes, such as those related to the environment, ex soldiers with ptsd, animals etc. Basically all the things that suffer because people insist on having something loud and sparkly to go 'ooooh' at.

I know it would never happen obviously.

I loathe fireworks, not least because my beautiful, gentle and nervous rescue dog is terrified of them. And she has to endure them for what seems like weeks at this time of year rather than just on 5 November.

Not a fan but can handle bonfire night and even a Friday and Saturday after the day if it falls midweek, however cricket club near me had huge event last Saturday cos it was cheaper than having it on bonfire night.

This just stretches the event out over 2 weeks and shouldn’t be allowed

Seriously, you have only seen anti firework comments on MN. I suggest you start looking at the various FB pages, with a horror story of a horse breaking its leg and dying as it was so scared, newspaper story if a puppy having a heart attack. People with ptsd suffering all over again. I have no problem with organised firework displays, I do with garden displays, where all the crap falls in my garden, where my animals, neighbours kids and the rest are woken by inconsiderate yobs at 11.30 pm. Firework displays should be %5th November, date Late October for Diwali, nye and a date for Chinese New Year and that’s it

Medievalist, what a lovely thought.

Earlymorningfog

I love them. We're going to the same display tomorrow that we go to every year, with a group of very dear friends, all of us getting older including the kids who are now mostly teens, and we'll eat hotdogs and listen to the covers band and drink sugared tea, and the little kids who go there will run around daft and our kids will be too cool for school and all of us mums will chat and laugh and feel our noses get cold and our hearts get warm and we'll all watch the brief beautiful bursts of light and be happy.