Fireworks- Get off my Lawn?

[W2R]

[...] it's never going to end, so people just need to relax and deal with it, whether they have a problem with it, isn't going to change anything. Good luck for anyone thinking they can stop people from launching fireworks over their houses. I expect to hear more fireworks this week.

+1

I don't like fireworks, due to the loud noise, smoke, smells, and so on. Ever seen a timid, small dog around fireworks? That's a reaction I can relate to. Frank also has some sort of allergic/sensitivity reaction to the smoke and smells associated with fireworks. We used to go to gatherings of his family every year on the 4th that involved a lot of fireworks, but we stopped going and used allergies as an excuse.

So, I was trying to think of a way to articulate my thoughts on all this, when I read the above post by GenXguy and he nailed it. Those are my thoughts too. Each year I stay indoors with the windows and doors closed, and eventually things quiet down. It wouldn't help to try to force others to stop setting off fireworks. That would just create conflict that might even lead to violence, who knows.

Actually, this year they quieted down earlier than usual. I don't really know why! Frank thinks it's because like everything else in these inflationary times, fireworks are becoming ridiculously expensive.

 

[Sunset]

As a kid I enjoyed fireworks, back then kids could buy firecrackers, but Darwin put an end to that.

As kids we used to modify and make our own... Could have been a Darwin recipient myself had I been better at making gunpowder.

Now I like seeing the big professional ones explode in the air, but don't set any off myself.

Our neighborhood sounded like a war zone yesterday, people still have a lot of $$$ to spend.

 

[harllee]

Fireworks in my area has gotten out of control and they are not even legal here. I started hearing fireworks every night about a week ago. The town had permitted fireworks event last night and I went, it was fun, ended before 10 pm. I got in bed around 11 pm, drifting off to sleep and fireworks started off all around, sounded like a war, lasted at least an hour well past midnight. I did not call the police but I thought about it. Someone must have spent thousands of dollars. If it happens again tonight I think I ill call the police. Ridiculous.

 

[Out-to-Lunch]

free

 

[Bigdawg]

Many of the posters here would absolutely hate my neck of the woods. Our local fireworks patriarch died last year at age 88. He was a Navy vet. His kids thankfully carried on the tradition for year 48. My personal show didn't happen this year because with Independence Day (I hate when people say "Happy 4th of July") being on a Tuesday, most of my usual 60-80 guests weren't coming. Three Marines in our family. 2 Sailors. 2 Air Force. Our beach usually will have 10-15 Marines and 15-20 other vets within that 60-80 count. Most of us were lifers and combat vets. We, most assuredly, celebrate Independence Day. You would also hate duck season. My Navy Vet buddy leases the property about 500 meters behind my house where he shoots em and Chevy (his Black lab) retrieves em. Many days we are outside and hear Dave get a few ducks. Today on the tee box for #8, I had to stop and cover my ears as a F/A-18 Growler was taking off. The sound of freedom. I guess the crabbing isn't too loud except when a crab claw does it's job on someone pulling the trap who isn't paying attention. Lots of GD's. The base must be done flying for the day. Haven't heard any F-35's in an hour or 2. I will say the boaters this holiday season towing skiers and tubers with no spotters did piss me off. What else can we rant about? Oops! Spoke too soon. F-35 just flew over the house.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

Anything that goes bang or leaves the ground is illegal in my state but that makes no difference, never did when I was a teenage fool and probably never will. At least this year the usual neighbor didn’t get sloshed and set them off until three a.m.

 

[skyking1]

for 16 years we have taken our dogs and left for the mountains and peace and quiet. Our little slice of the USA will resort to live ammo if the fireworks run out.
One of our more extravagant neighbors had a mariachi band late into the night, I heard.

 

[Koolau]

The teens that have for several years loaded the roof with firew*rks debris must have moved or started dating. It was relatively quiet last night, with most activity a few blocks away. Nothing on the roof this morning. YMMV

 

[Act2]

A friend of mine ‘out in the country’ says it is a constant problem on his acreage each fireworks related holiday - people see undeveloped land and think no one owns it (why do they think that?) and that it is not trespassing to go on the land or set fireworks off on the land or over it so that they fall to the ground. The fireworks ignite little fires that the fireworks setters seem oblivious to. My friend has to be at the ready on July 4 for a long night with buckets of water to go put out little fires from careless fireworks setters who trespass and then leave without making sure they have not set any fires.

I do think people should have a lot of freedom on their own land so long as they are not a nuisance to their neighbors. And it never occurred to me that people would set fireworks off somewhere other than on and over their own property (or out on a lake) unless they had the land owners’ permission and took fire precautions.

 

[Koolau]

A friend of mine ‘out in the country’ says it is a constant problem on his acreage each fireworks related holiday - people see undeveloped land and think no one owns it (why do they think that?) and that it is not trespassing to go on the land or set fireworks off on the land or over it so that they fall to the ground. The fireworks ignite little fires that the fireworks setters seem oblivious to. My friend has to be at the ready on July 4 for a long night with buckets of water to go put out little fires from careless fireworks setters who trespass and then leave without making sure they have not set any fires.

I do think people should have a lot of freedom on their own land so long as they are not a nuisance to their neighbors. And it never occurred to me that people would set fireworks off somewhere other than on and over their own property (or out on a lake) unless they had the land owners’ permission and took fire precautions.

Last year, my niece who owns the family business now had to spend half an hour sweeping up the debris in front of the business. It's a nice open area that the teens love for setting off all kinds of stuff. The paper and sticks and UXO (unexploded ordinance) are thick on the sidewalk and street.

Like I said - they must have run out of money for such frivolity or else moved away (grown up?? Naaahhhhh!)

 

[Teacher Terry]

They are illegal here but it doesn’t stop people. The casinos put on nice displays for people to attend. Luckily in my condo I don’t hear it as much as when in my house.

To me the sound of freedom is when a C 130 cargo plane flies over my condo and although loud it doesn’t terrify dogs like fireworks do. I was married to a Vietnam veteran and he was very patriotic but hated people setting off their own fireworks. Now living on the west coast which is very dry it’s a huge fire risk.

 

[GenXguy]

They are illegal here but it doesn’t stop people.

Many fireworks are illegal here for the general public, but not for public displays by the city, for example. However, that never stopped anyone from driving across the state border and bringing back car loads of fireworks. We always had them growing up. I actually don't know of anyone who got fined or arrested for having illegal fireworks. They can certainly be dangerous to people, also the loud sounds causing ear trauma or tinnitus, and possible fires.

 

[eytonxav]

This year we could only hear the neighboring cities fireworks in the distance, but no households close enough to bother our dog. I was a bit worried walking him at night, as he is easily starttled by loud noises.

 

[gauss]

Sparklers, poppers, smoke-snakes are fine, otherwise
I vote for leave it to the professionals at the designated time only.
-gauss

 

[Koolau]

This year we could only hear the neighboring cities fireworks in the distance, but no households close enough to bother our dog. I was a bit worried walking him at night, as he is easily starttled by loud noises.

I've heard it estimated that Hawaii imports 20 container loads of illegal firew*rks every year. Every year the police and politicians say they are going to crack down on illegal firew*rks - but then they never do. Every year we have horrendous injuries from firew*rks and yet, nothing changes. Every year, the news shows video from a central location and all around - without a break - illegal firew*rks fill the sky. Every year, fires are stated by firew*rks and every year, the fire dept. begs people to be more careful with such obvious hazards but the fires continue.

Clearly, there is no "heart" for stopping firew*rks in the Islands. I feel certain that the reason firew*rks remain illegal is that it givea politicians and the police "cover" for the injury and damage caused each year. If they were made legal, liability might fall upon the politicians and embarrassment is something local politicians try to avoid.

Well, I guess that's the end of my rant. SO, returning you now...

 

[MC Rider]

The last few years in LA fireworks would be going off for days before and after the 4th. On the night and next morning it smelled smoky like gunpowder. sounded like a war zone. Ugh.

This year in the KRV the only fireworks I have heard were the official ones last Saturday night. So much better. and I like fireworks.

 

[athena53]

They can certainly be dangerous to people, also the loud sounds causing ear trauma or tinnitus, and possible fires.

I checked the decibel level on poppers using my Apple watch- in the yellow zone (above 85 db, I think), where exposure to noise at that level over a period of years cause cumulative hearing damage. (I tested my lawn mower the same way and now I wear ear plugs when mowing.) I'm guessing that a lot of the fireworks engineered for maximum noise are in the red zone, where even small amounts of exposure at that level will damage your hearing.

 

[Sunset]

Many fireworks are illegal here for the general public, but not for public displays by the city, for example. However, that never stopped anyone from driving across the state border and bringing back car loads of fireworks. We always had them growing up. I actually don't know of anyone who got fined or arrested for having illegal fireworks. They can certainly be dangerous to people, also the loud sounds causing ear trauma or tinnitus, and possible fires.

And now in the news, some IL politicians are trying to pass a bill to allow certain type of fireworks (or more) to be legal.
Turns out IL is missing out on Millions of dollars in taxes by making people drive to other States for their fun supplies..

 

[athena53]

And... the post I submitted to our town FB page 24 hours ago asking how much badly-needed revenue they anticipated from fines for breaking the fireworks regulations has not been posted by the Moderator. It was polite- honest- but I noted that it was fairly easy to track down lawbreakers since they were quite audible.

Hmmmm....

 

[gauss]

^ Perhaps the anticipated fine revenue received would be less than law-enforcement overtime cost needed to deal with those who can't be bothered to follow the law.

-gauss

 

[athena53]

^ Perhaps the anticipated fine revenue received would be less than law-enforcement overtime cost needed to deal with those who can't be bothered to follow the law.

-gauss

Yes, that's possible- we have a chronic shortage of law enforcement people here. It would have been nice, though, if they'd posted my question and either the Mayor or on particular Alderman (both of whom are very active on the page) had responded.

 

[gauss]

Agreed! Censoring your post seems like a slap in the face.

 

[iloveyoga]

And now in the news, some IL politicians are trying to pass a bill to allow certain type of fireworks (or more) to be legal.
Turns out IL is missing out on Millions of dollars in taxes by making people drive to other States for their fun supplies..

And that is why they are legal to sell in Iowa but illegal to set off in my town and the city next to us.

 

[6miths]

Firecrackers and bottle rockets have been illegal here since the early 70s and up until about 10 years ago there were virtually no fireworks available except lame flare type things. Last few years have made a big comeback though still no firecrackers and bottle rockets (my favourite). Can get pretty substantial mortar/starshell fireworks for personal use now. Not a fan and dogs much less a fan. Neighbours at cottage always asking whether we want to 'go in' for a display. Politely decline. I really like Chinese lanterns but they are banned too due to fire hazard. It has been so dry that we have an absolute fire ban and even a day of downpours didn't lift it so we got a reprieve this year. Still two more fireworks days coming up so might yet get some shock and awe.

 

[troutnut1]

Alcohol, fire, explosives, and large groups of dimwits. What could go wrong?