Life at No.22, Musings

Is it time to ban Fireworks?

Suzanne

There is only one night I wish for rain, you guessed correctly. Even before the dreaded onslaught, I had an unpleasant experience while strolling along a quiet suburban street minding my own business when a quick succession of bangers had my equilibrium in shatters, resulting in some colourful language. You know, the sort who always hoard fireworks from last year’s haul.  

So, come on, get real, you firework enthusiasts.

We all remember those rosy childhood memories of racing down the street with a cap and baggy shorts, trailing a rope of penny bangers behind you until someone lost a finger or an eye. Sorry, but those days are over. It really is time to totally knock the public sale of fireworks. Or let’s be really explosive and ban them all together.

I know that’ll make some of you diehards cringe and uncomfortable with the idea of yet another “pleasure” taken away. You were probably the ones who railed against compulsory seatbelts and helmets on bikes. I, too, remember those things like rolling around unrestrained on the bench seat of the Holden Kingswood while being driven at 130kph down a public highway or booting my bike down the middle of the road with the wind in my hair. Yeah, okay, it’s hard to let go of nostalgic thoughts coloured because of those imaginary pink-tinted glasses.

We’re adults now, and most of us have read the statistics during the aftermath of those seemingly happy family times. Yes, I can hear you now, “But it’s for the kids”, you sputter with your blood pressure rising. Sure it is. Here, we can’t justify that stand here in the boondocks of Aotearoa, as it’s springtime with the skies lit up until almost 9 pm., which means that plaintive excuse is untrue, to put it bluntly.

While there are certified experts who have recognised safety training and technical expertise and do a fabulous job of set-up and safety at public fireworks events, that’s different from you.

I’m sorry to disappoint you; most people are with me on this if recent surveys are to be believed. These are the ones who care about the welfare of animals, children and the environment. Bold of me, I know. The only people having a perfect time of it are those who make large amounts of money selling rockets, Catherine wheels out of dilapidated shipping containers, or the online weighted blankets for terrified dogs. Not to mention the sensitive felines.

For once, it’s a good idea for us NZers to follow Australia’s lead in banning fireworks unless it’s a public event organised by professionals. The Aussies have been doing it for decades. Did you know that those seemingly harmless sparklers are burning between 600 and 1000 degrees Celsius?

The period where sales of fireworks to the public are legal has been shrinking in past years. Sense is gradually prevailing.

Unfortunately, that downpour I wished for isn’t happening tonight if the Metservice is correct. Fingers crossed, the general public is spending their money wisely instead of burning it. Or just enjoy nature’s display as the light disappears.

Published by Suzanne

Travel and Life Musings from New Zealand and Beyond. . . . . . .

34 thoughts on “Is it time to ban Fireworks?”

  2. We can see and hear the SeaWorld fireworks go off just about every night during the summer. While I don’t mind them (they don’t last long), I know a lot of people – and dogs – do. In addition, since they are set off over the bay, I assume there must be lots of debris that falls into the water. Here in the U.S. I’d just as soon they just have the show on the Fourth of July and leave it at that.

    I’ve seen a few drone “fireworks” displays that looked pretty amazing.

    Btw, if you don’t like firecrackers, avoid Mexico and Central/South America. Yikes!

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    1. It is hard not to admire a public display. I had to laugh at the reference to Mexico and Sth America as I can imagine their exuberance. They do have colourful festivals, which would still be amazing without fireworks.

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    1. Agreed, Derrick. Even without pink tinted glasses back in the day we had strict rules from Dad regarding their use. Les as a boy started lighting and throwing cracker before his parents could remove away the box of rockets. The result wasn’t pleasant. A sore backside and a ruined guy fawkes, childhood memories 😊

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  4. We celebrate Bonfire Night every year. We have a family party and a fireworks display that is well-organised and safe.
    We cancelled this year because of colds, coughs, and damp foggy weather.
    I wish we could agree to call an end to our celebrations because the older I get, the more I dislike it. I also worry about the stress on wildlife.

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  5. my memories of home fireworks are the cold, the occasional accident and disappointment. I’d not miss them. Fortunately our dog doesn’t mind but that’s just dumb luck. Ban them

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  6. I think most people are with you on that, Suzanne. It’s my birthday and I always felt it was rather nice to have fireworks to celebrate, but obviously it doesn’t happen here in Portugal. It’s still a waste of money but I do like the public displays here on New Years Eve and Tavira Day, in June.

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    1. Happy Birthday Jo, have a wonderful day as I am sure you will be spoilt. There is no denying that the public displays are beautiful to view. It has always made me think why do we celebrate someone who tried to blow up Parliament. We actually visited Fawkes birth home while heading up north.

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  8. On this occasion I’ll disagree. We always go to an organised event, usually the one for my son’s scout group. I adore fireworks, and everyone coming together round a bonfire in the cold. It feels elemental and celebratory. There’s a lot of singing. When we got our puppy we spent a couple of weeks conditioning him to the sound and sight of them, we live in a city with lots so it was essential he is comfortable with them so that was a priority in his training. Even though he is unfazed by them he’s not on his own on fireworks nights. As I get older my love of fireworks isn’t diminishing and I’ve so many good memories. It’s perfectly possible to be safe and responsible. I’m sorry for people who struggle with the sounds, all the earlier displays here use no-bang ‘quiet’ fireworks. I guess emergency sirens and screeching cars cause me a lot more stress though.

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    1. Ruth, life would be rather boring if we all agreed and I appreciate you taking the time to share your viewpoint. You do have some valid reasons to want their continued use. For me, I have fond memories of public displays and being in awe of them. Not forgetting as a child and beyond having fun writing in the sky with a sparkler. Yes, the emergency vehicle noise is stressful.

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      1. Excellent. Many children’s events are now catering for those children with autistic tendencies. When I was teaching preschool we had to take a few out of group sessions as the noise was overwhelming for them.

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  10. I do have happy memories of bonfire night as a kid. Happily no accidents and everyone safe. Organised events are great. There are apparently silent fireworks now, though still hearing alot of loud ones. Fortunately for us our cat and dog don’t seem stressed by them, we are very lucky of course!

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    1. Another lot of laidback pets, you must treat like royalty 😁 Lovely that you have good memories of guy fawkes. I always find it amusing that we don’t celebrate extraordinary things like a moon landing, for example.

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  11. We are fortunate in that we don’t really have trouble with fireworks where we are now, but at a previous house in another city… it was hell. Very suburb dependent, essentially. The demographics here are well educated and progressive, compared to previously where they… weren’t.

    Good public displays for Matariki like Wellington does is the answer. And because it’s dark earlier it removes most of the getting kids to bed annoyance factor. Not to mention Guy Fawkes has no real relevance here: much more important on 5/11 is the anniversary of Parihaka.

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    1. Good points and thanks for commenting. Though Parihaka is a significant historical event; though with so many others to would be hard to chose which is more important to have an anniversary day dedicated to it.

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  13. I always feel for the dogs – and especially for those owners who lose their precious pooches because they’ve run away in terror. Fireworks are (mostly) banned here, and that (I think) is a good thing.

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    1. It would be ludicrous to have Guy Fawkes in a dry environment where bush fires are prominent. That issue is becoming one for NZ too. It would be very stressful for those who have experienced an advent such as a major fire.

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