We shouldn’t be letting off fireworks while innocent families and their homes are being blown up

[Banfire]

“When the F-16s come, it is really scary and traumatic. You hear them and then the hiss of the missile and then the big blast, and then you can smell the gunpowder.
“The children are there, terrified, saying exactly this: ‘Let them just kill us for this to end.’

The quote above is an excerpt from an article in the Guardian this morning.

Is it just me or does it seem insensitive that on the 5th November, and for many days either side, we will be lighting up our sky for fun while innocent people, a large proportion of whom are children, are being blown up as if their lives meant nothing.

There are also people in this country who may find the sound and noise of fireworks traumatic. They may have been victims of war, have lost loved ones in this way or are currently fearing for the lives of their families and friends.

Fireworks aren’t fun for everyone.

If you do chose to let off fireworks for entertainment then when you watch them I hope you remember how privileged you are and the impact this might have on the people around you.

You've had a hard time on here @Banfire and FWIW I do agree with you, but not for the reason you are giving. I think we should ban them because they terrify animals, and there are so many being let off all year round! Not just November!

We should stop fireworks being sold to the public. Have organised public displays only. And only roughly one in any 5 X 5 mile area. So if your town is 9-10 miles long and 6-8 miles wide, there can be 2. Something like that. If it's a small-ish market town, there should be only one . And they can only be on ONE NIGHT. Preferably 5th November obvs!

Should be made illegal any other day. No, not even New Year's Eve. That's only been a thing since the year 1999 into 2000. And not at weddings or 40th/50th/60th etc birthday parties either - or any other celebrations that some people have them at.

At least if it's only one night, and everyone knows when it is, they can sedate their pets/animals, and it will only be one night, and not every night for a fortnight like in some towns! (As well as all the other events I mentioned.)

I am not a dog owner, but fireworks do badly upset dogs AND some cats. Also, what many people don't realise is that fireworks shock and scare wildlife too, and also farm animals. I can't believe some people think that dogs are the only animals traumatised by fireworks.

I don't particularly like fireworks. But there is no comparison.

Yep, sounds about right.....let's ban everything remotely fun just in case it might upset/offend someone somewhere.
Or, back in the real world most people just crack on for the few days we use fireworks.

You realise wars have been going on forever right? Israel and Palestine have been against each other since 1948? Why do you think this year it's suddenly unacceptable to light fireworks thousands of miles away from a war?

I wish the larger fireworks were restricted to large organised bonfires only and restricted to Nov 5th or a day either side. Everyone loves a sparkler and a roman candle or a catherine wheel in their garden, but the big banging ones are too dangerous, too frightening for the wildlife, and allowed to be used too frequently.

I don't think it's jarring to enjoy normal life at all.

Do you really believe that everyone should spend their days self flagellating and moping around?

What is happening is absolutely awful, however I do not feel guilty about enjoying life in any way.

I love Halloween and Bonfire night, so get lost, and leave our traditions alone.

By the way, you can feel sorry for, and support those poor souls in Israel and Palestine, without having to give up all the small things that bring you a bit of respite in the long, cold, dark UK winters.

That's not what people are saying though. It's not misery guts not to enjoy something but it absolutely is misery guts to want to stop other people enjoying it to which is what the thread is about.

People look bit dumb tbh with the screetching about how no one cares about palestinians and trying to shoehorn it into everything and crying how terrible everyone is not to cry.. .
... While blissfully ignoring 100+ current armed conflicts, 5+ ethnic cleansings just this and last year, all other humanitarian crises most the time (many have children and women as major sufferers) and so on.

Latching onto what and when your tv telly tells you to latch on is not smart or special.
Same goes for disasters.

These days I think fireworks should only be allowed at a organized event. Yesterday we had youths throwing them around in the street. Every year they try to throw them inside our local supermarket. This time they were throwing them into the delivery vans which the staff was loading for deliveries. When I was young it was a basic box of fireworks with some pretty coloured ones, a roman candle, and a few air bombs. Always on the 5th November or over a weekend.

These days families buy boxes of demonstration fireworks. Fireworks can be heard most of the year. Herd animals have to be locked in sheds while idiots near by enjoy fireworks. People say its only a few times, but it all adds up in the year, and you can never relax with your pets.

Some I'm sure but not all. I have a relative who served in Iraq and he doesn't care about fireworks.

My Grandfather did, he was in the thick of it (was part of Dunkirk as well). He saw many horrendous things. He still held firework parties for his grandkids. Absolutely loved the Catherine Wheel.

Just responding as to why war isn't more of a reason than others shrugs

Don’t be ridiculous

Fireworks in this county make no difference to anyone caught up in wars elsewhere. We are lucky to have the freedom and resources to come together and socialise and celebrate. It’s something worth doing.

Last night I thought someone had started a week early with all the bangs but couldn't see anything, I often get lovely free views of the big displays. It seems that the Army were having night exercises a few miles away!

I don't think private individuals should have fireworks, it should be licenced displays only. However, OP, I think you are conflating 2 separate issues here.

Honestly, the best thing in the UK is the freedom to carry on with a normal life. That includes fireworks if you like them, and perhaps we should remember that the reason they used to be launched was to celebrate the dismembering of Guy Fawkes as he attempted to blow up Parliament.

@Syndulla

s few fireworks in the garden is a long (possibly longer) tradition in this country. I'm 54 & remember standing in the house watching them when I would have been 2.5.

they shouldn't be banned for personal use, but the law should come down HARD on anyone doing something stupid/dangerous/hateful with them.

@Banfire I think you need a wee nap, a strong coffee & to consider your post, it's nonsense.

Don't be so fucking ridiculous

Disgusting. We should ban the Amy too then. Don't they know loud bangs could harm soldiers?

(Joking, albeit in bad taste).

This. You can literally apply your logic to any situation in the world.

Don't be silly. My DD is terrified of fireworks because of the noise (she is autistic) so it's a bit traumatic for her but I'm not suggesting no one ever lights a firework.
I don't quite get the connection between war and fireworks.

What’s going on is absolutely awful.
Bur having fireworks here is completely unrelated. Plus, it’s probably going to be pouring down with this weather we’ve been having so they’ll probably all be cancelled anyway.

Sadly life involves suffering. Wars seem to be a constant. I do understand where you are coming from OP but we can’t go down that route as where do you draw the line - ban fireworks because there are bombs being dropped somewhere, stop eating because there are regions on earth where people are starving ? It isn’t logical. As I said though I see your point and I think your heart is in the right place and maybe like all of us you feel helpless and wish there was some small thing you could do somehow ?

The UK is not in Gaza. Its not in Israel. Its not in Ukraine or any other region that is experiencing war.
How many people in these warzones right now are tut tutting about grisly Halloween costumes, Guy Fawlkes night celebrations etc?
My guess is probably around zero

Get a grip!!

Unfortunately, not celebrating anything in the UK will not make the blindest bit of difference to the tragic events in Israel/Palestine. It's like being told, when I was a child "eat your dinner, think of all the starving children in Africa".

It's just not relevant.