Firework Abuse

Those were the bonfires and firework shows most of us would like to remember. Only it's not like that anymore. Since fireworks have become more widely accessible and affordable, they have been used for more than just back garden entertainment.

Every year we have warnings on the telly and radio asking us to be aware of the fireworks code, to be careful, considerate and safe with fireworks, and yet every year, our A&E departments fill to bursting point with people arriving with burns, scalds, and often more serious injuries relating to the misuse of fireworks.

Menace, Dangerous & Noisy

Firework BlastFireworks are dangerous and noisy and quite often misused to cause pain, anguish and fear in the victims they are used against. Animals become frightened, and people stay indoors for fear of being attacked. Fireworks don't just get used on fireworks night anymore, they are used for a lot of celebrations during the year, but especially in November and leading to the New Year fireworks are a regular occurrence like it or night in our evening entertainment. Or not, as the case may be for most of us.

Might surprise some people to learn that the only time there is no limit on how long fireworks can be set off for during an evening is Bonfire night and New Year's eve, yet for weeks on end we have to endure fireworks being set off until all hours almost every day of the week, and the noise, disturbance and fear of injury and fire is high.

Safer Displays, Safer Communities

Bonfire NightWhy can't we go back to the good old days, where fireworks are for organised shows only? Safe shows where communities can gather together and celebrate without fear of injury, fire, and death in some cases. If more people went to organised displayed and the sale of fireworks was more tightly controlled and restricted, then we all really could enjoy fireworks night knowing that people, animals and our properties really are safe, and that we do not have to endure night after night of endless noise and disruption.

Think, go to an organised display, don't mess with Fireworks....

Comment on this article, express yourself:

Comments to date: 3. Page 1 of 1.

PMT   North Devon

7:42pm on Saturday, November 7th, 2009

Why can't they keep it to the 5th of Nov? One of our dogs was frightened to death, I also think fire works should be sold only on the day before and limited, if they won't ban them, they wouldn't sell dynamite to just anyone.

Isis   Essex

1:31pm on Saturday, November 7th, 2009

Well "touch wood" we have had a quiet time here this time. As to PMT's comment of "buy one get one free" don't know if they are doing that round here! Let's see what tonight brings forth!

pmt   north devon

2:11pm on Thursday, November 5th, 2009

The firework nightmare has already started in Devon; one family got a rocket through their window and some idiots have been setting fireworks off in telephone boxes in Plymouth I think.

Some supermarkets are offering buy one box of fireworks get o... read more »

Mend Britain:  Thanks for your comment pmt, fireworks are indeed, sadly, a menace to many.

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