The Rockets’ Red Glare

It’s that time of year again. The time when my neighborhood sounds like a war zone.

I live in a country neighborhood. I like living here except for two times a year–the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve. That’s when fireworks start going off. As soon as the fireworks stands open, they start going off in my neighborhood. Fireworks can go on sale from June 24-July 4 and from December 20-January 1. I know there are patrons eager to buy fireworks beginning on June 24 and on December 20 because I hear their purchases going off almost nightly. It also seems that they get louder every year. I can’t believe that those big boomers which sound like bombs are really safe. I also can’t believe how many thousands of dollars a person can waste on these annoyances.

First of all, fireworks mean fire. It can be really dry in July and December. There have been years that we have had a burn ban and extreme drought conditions. The county commissioners waited until the day before July 4 one year before banning fireworks. However, it’s one thing to ban the fireworks. It’s another to actually enforce it. Honestly, though, anyone with half a brain during that extreme drought should have known that it was way too dry to be shooting off fireworks. I live in fear that a stray spark will start a fire. I pray for rain during those holidays. It’s even scarier if those pyromaniacs have been drinking. One year, the neighbors across the street were shooting them across the street into my driveway. I told them not to shoot them toward my house at all. Insurance is great but it won’t replace things like the afghan my grandmother made for me before I went to college. Is it really worth it to possibly burn down someone’s house or several homes?

Secondly, the fireworks these days are LOUD, and they shoot them off sometimes until 2:00 AM or later. There are people who have to work.

Thirdly, how about those with an aversion to loud sounds? How about animals and pets? How about those with PTSD? My 6 year old grandson wears noise cancelling headphones because loud sounds really bother him.

Don’t worry. I haven’t started a petition to ban fireworks even though I would like to. There are many who would oppose me. However, I would like to see some stricter rules.

1. Fireworks should be fired off on the day of the holiday only–July 4 and New Year’s Eve. Not 2 weeks before and/or 2 weeks after.
2. There should be a limit to how loud the fireworks can be.
3. Fireworks should be banned if there is a burn ban in place because of drought.
4. Fireworks should cease by 11:00 PM on July 4 and by 1:00 AM on New Year’s Day. If you can’t shoot them all off by that time, then you’ve bought too much.

Please respect those who live around you. I think it’s far better to go see a professional fireworks display.

I’m not saying that you can’t have fun. Just make sure that your fun doesn’t harm others. Be safe and be courteous.