It's time to move past fireworks in celebration of the 4th

[Critters2]

Fireworks are frightening for children and companion animals. For many, the night is spent calming terrified pets. I have at least two friends who've spent considerable money on drugs and/or Thunder Shirts, specifically to soothe animals during the local fireworks explosions. Is this really necessary?!

[pipoman]

1. A couple of days per year

won't kill anyone.

[RC]

7. It usually does though.

We are a war loving nation. The 4th give the arm chair warrior/warroretts a chance to fantasize a bit. Some people have to die in any war.

[pipoman]

97. Or it could represent

independence from a oppressive regime. Revisionist history is more dangerous than fireworks..

[Mendocino]

26. Well it can.

A bottle rocket landed on the roof of an elderly couples house a number of years back near here. The house caught on fire, killing them both. My friends dog went so crazy from fireworks that it ran into a wall and broke its neck.

However fireworks are good for the prothestic hand, glass eye and hearing aid industries. ;)

[ChazII]

107. Good point.

Until last year fireworks were banned in Arizona. (Except for the aerial shows put on by professionals).

[Kali]

109. actually last year fireworks were made legal here

previous to that they were not

this year most locals, at least in the southern part of the state, have temporary bans in place due to the drought and fires

[hfojvt]

48. a couple days, my a$$

explosion day goes on for weeks. It's not legal to shoot them off in my town, but tons of people do it anyway. Not only that but they always seem to buy more than they can shoot off in just a couple of days. It's pop-pop-pop for weeks. I always want to yell at them "the holiday's over a$$hole". Or get a paintball gun and return fire, since it feels a little like I am being shot at. That way too, the cops will know who to ticket for illegally shooting fireworks. They will be the ones marked with paint.

[pipoman]

101. Get off my yard you f...ing kids!!!1!!

[Lars39]

110. Where I'm at it's more like 2 weeks for each major holiday.

[Odin2005]

2. Fireworks + Aspergers = Meltdown.

I FUCKING HATE FIREWORKS.

[aquart]

10. You wouldn't like the Village/Chelsea then.

Parties at Chelsea Piers have them all year long.

I've got a relative with Aspergers. He and his wife love watching the fireworks. Everyone's different.

[catabryna]

41. My son hated the noise for years...

He's mostly desensitized now, but ear muffles work great when he's more wound up by it than usual. :hi:

[kestrel91316]

52. Proof that I do NOT have Asperger's then, I guess. LOL. I LOVE them.

[Odin2005]

94. Naw, some have a problem with them, some don't.

[EFerrari]

86. I hate the noise and worry about the fire threat until it goes away.

Community organized displays are one thing but knowing that these dry hills are surrounded by drunk people with matches and fireworks wrecks this holiday for me every year. :mad:

[seabeyond]

124. my son couldnt handle it for years. he would be so excited for them

and then could not handle the noise.

couldnt do pep rallies and a lot of other things. handles it much better now.

[aquart]

3. Yes.

BTW, the dogs in my building go insane when the smoke alarm goes off. Will you please get them outlawed as well?

[rustydog]

9. Logical leap there.

[obxhead]

51. Silent dog whistles too.

My friends dog goes insane when the neighbors use theirs, which their own dog ignores anyway. They will continue to blow and blow on that thing for 15 minutes though on their front porch.

[lynne]

89. Haven't thought about silent dog whistles in years -

- many years ago, man who lived in apt. above me had a large dog. I got the Sunday paper and there were Sunday's when my paper would be missing. Pretty sure dog-guy swiped it. So - for those mornings when my paper was gone - I got a silent dog whistle and would blow the devil out of that thing while running through my apt. His dog would take a tear through his apt., following the sound, barking at the top of his lungs all the while.

Wasn't the same as drinking my coffee while reading my paper BUT it did entertain me on those mornings when he swiped my comics!

[Bombero1956]

4. sorry but that's not going to happen

While I sympathize with you regarding your pets, asking Americans to give up fireworks on the 4th of July is like asking that no pumpkins be carved at Halloween or no trees be cut at Christmas.

[begin_within]

116. +1

[taterguy]

5. And what would you replace them with?

[Chan790]

11. Anti-aircraft guns! MOAB! Airfoil! Daisy-cutters!

It'd be more representational and less symbolic.

Also we should do what the DPRK do and have parades where we show off out nuclear weapons and have troops march in the streets.

[CrispyQ]

24. I watched a documentary on fireworks last night. It was fascinating.

The final segment featured a company in Japan that is working on laser technology that doesn't need a screen or background to focus on. Currently the shapes they have are small & simple, but the plan is to eventually replicate a fireworks display. Way, way less resources & colors as vibrant as any interior laser light show. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Dappleganger]

6. Yes it is.

BTW, we use Bach's Rescue Remedy spray for our dogs and it works great. We also crate them just in case. We've had a few fireworks this week in early celebration, but since there's still a burn ban going on not as much as in previous years.

You should be happy you don't live in some areas where they are shooting their rifles and pistols instead of fireworks.

[CrispyQ]

27. We use Rescue Remedy combined with a bag of unsalted potato chips.

My little treat monster can usually shed his anxiety when there is the possibility of a treat. ;) However, I've had dogs in the past, who also loved treats, & that would not have made one bit of difference.

I love the public displays, but the neighborhood ones are an annoyance.

[auntAgonist]

8. Feed the hungry instead of exploding all that money into the sky.

Sure they are pretty and a tradition.

But there are hungry and homeless people out there.

My dog doesn't get upset by the noise but the dogs down the road do.

aA

[aquart]

14. I really do get disgusted by that kind of statement.

Pretending to be moral when depriving others suits your convenience.

[auntAgonist]

15. You're entitled to your disgust. Don't judge me. You don't know

me or what I stand for.

My morals aren't in question.

aA

[Taitertots]

18. Feed them your companion animal

Or is sacrificing something to help others only something that applies to things OTHER PEOPLE like doing.

[Forkboy]

25. Unless Jesus is serving the companion animal, I doubt there will be enough to go around.

[kestrel91316]

53. So you oppose ALL forms of entertainment, I suppose? Because it's all

the same in terms of NOT being spent on the hungry and homeless.

I assume you have relinquished cable TV in favor of sending that sum every month to your local homeless shelter. And of course you don't get the internet, either. And cut your personal budget so you can send THAT money to the shelter, too.

And the DOG????? Give up the dog and spend THAT money on the homeless.

Or, you could just leave people alone and let them celebrate in peace. WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA AND THE 4TH OF JULY? Seriously.

[slackmaster]

12. The existence of party-poopers makes celebrations more meaningful for me

:nuke:

[Posteritatis]

92. Ha! (nt)

[FLPanhandle]

13. So we should all live so that our actions don't scare small children & animals?

FYI, LOTS of things scare small children & animals, do we ban them all?

[kestrel91316]

55. Hah, yeah. Every time I come in the door with my bicycle my one

scaredy-cat runs and hides. BAN TEH BICYCLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Taitertots]

16. Why should we give up our enjoyment to enhance your's?

We shouldn't have to sacrifice to protect your luxuries.

[Union Scribe]

79. The luxury of things not blowing up outside my window at 2am?

Yeah, I guess I really am asking too much out of life.

[Taitertots]

81. You are asking too much

"outside my window"
The whole world is outside your windows. You are asking too much.

[Union Scribe]

82. You're right, the world is full of inconsiderate assholes

who think that the entire planet is theirs and theirs alone and they can do whatever the hell they want any time of the day or night and fuck everyone else if they don't like it. It clearly is asking far, far too much to even remotely expect people not to be stupid fucks and think of people besides themselves for a goddamn change, especially not on such a sacred holiday, lol.

You've convinced me, I'm gonna look out for number one and be a libertarian now.

[Taitertots]

84. Boo hoo, no one gives a shit about your unreasonable wants

When your expectations are not reasonable no one is going to give a shit what you want. You are asking too much.

[Union Scribe]

104. Yep, no explosions at 2am is "unreasonable" in a world full of people like you.

I get it. Don't you have something to blow up? Watch those fingers, especially after that case of beer.

[Taitertots]

123. Around the 4th of July it is

Be happy with the 50 weeks without explosions. There is nothing unreasonable about setting off fireworks a couple days out of the year.

[obxhead]

103. Banning fireworks would be a selfish consideration for a small

segment at the cost of a large segment.

Asking for it is looking out for number one. ;)

[Union Scribe]

106. Yeah yeah I get it. I'm an asshole for wanting to sleep at night. I get it.

[obxhead]

111. Not for wanting to sleep, just for thinking only your comfort matters.

;)

[Blue Gardener]

17. Move them out in the middle of nowhere

Leave one big open field for parking, one for spectators. That way you can have fireworks and happy pets.

[-..__...]

19. Fireworks... FUCK YEAH!!!

Frightening the children? That's a new one on me.

Dogs... pets...meh.

Do you really believe people should cease the celebrations because of stressed-out animals, and frightened children?

"I have at least two friends who've spent considerable money on drugs"...

Probably not nearly as much as myself and others have spent on fireworks.

"Is this really necessary?"

"Necessary"?.... Hmmmm, depending on far you want to push the boundary of "necessary", there are a lot of other things we could do without as well.

[TwilightGardener]

20. How did I ever live through the trauma of loud noises as a child???

You can't be serious. Some of my best memories were hot humid summer nights, sitting on a cheap aluminum folding lawn chair, watching fireworks with my family and a crowd of other folks.

[rurallib]

21. Many veterans are greatly disturbed by the explosions also

[kestrel91316]

57. That's what therapy and drugs are for. Ruining a centuries' old

patriotic tradition for everybody else is no way to handle the psychiatric problems of a few.

It's like banning peanut butter from EVERYBODY'S lunch because some little kid's mom is needlessly paranoid about peanut allergy because of disproven scaremongering ideas she read on the internet.

[Maru Kitteh]

75. My WWII vet dad LOVED fireworks. PTSD gave him screaming nightmares for his entire life but you

could not keep him out of the fireworks stands. He would slip me $20's and even the occasional $50 (this was in the 70's) to go get fireworks and mom would get upset about the money but she loved to see him happy.

One of my very best memories is setting off fireworks out at my uncles farm and my dad and uncle (also a WWII combat vet) throwing all the "spent" ones and the duds on the bonfire. Was it safe? Hell no! Was it fun. God yes.

[uppityperson]

88. It was interesting, being in Normandy for a D-day anniversary with HUGE fireworks

I really enjoy fireworks but this was too much for me. Talking afterwards with some military there for the festivities, guy said it "brought bad some bad memories" and had to go back to the quiet camp to recover. My bro-in-law's dad was a kid during d-day, can't stand fireworks, his grampa avoided them whenever he could also. Neighbor, who was young during d-day, is fine with them.

It depends on the person, and the fireworks. Anyone who insults another over "having issues" or being a wuss is clueless or at least self centered.

For the OP, it is a pain for some people and animals that something that brings joy to others is so distressing.

[Obamanaut]

112. And, many are not. nt

[etherealtruth]

22. While I agree that some drunken idiot in his backyard should not use fireworks,

nor should the neighborhood kid use them .... pyrotechnic displays are kinda nice. Its OK to be festive and a little frivolous one day a year.

I hope we don't move past them

[aikoaiko]

23. Fireworks are not necessary, but neither are pets.

Its only a couple of days a year and they are no worse than thunderstorms.

[Demonaut]

29. bad comparison...

[aikoaiko]

32. why?

Animals endure sharp loud noises with bright lighting as a part of nature. Fireworks are not very different than these naturally occurring events and someone the animals survive.

[Demonaut]

45. for some pets are necessary...fireworks are not

do you have a dog? or cat?
I don't think that fireworks should be banned for pets , I believe pets can be conditioned to not panic at loud noises..it was just a bad comparison

[kestrel91316]

58. Pets, while highly desirable, are "necessary" for no one.

Working animals excepted.

[Kali]

38. I thought is was a good one, myself

even used it before I read the whole thread:rofl:


:patriot:

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[aikoaiko]

36. Welcome to DU, its a discussion forum.

[lynne]

30. Why don't you like fun???? Sheesh -

Oh, for crying out loud! Talk about wanting to continue to live in FEAR if you're afraid of a little firework. Yes, I have three children and I didn't take them to fireworks when they were babies. They are now adults and they're not traumatized and actually LIKE fireworks. I also have two dogs and I keep them inside with the music up on high this time of year.

Can't wait to see how you want us to handle THUNDER. Maybe we should all live in bomb shelters 24/7??? :crazy:

[1monster]

31. One very, very dry night, celebrants in the neighborhood were setting off

fireworks. I don't remember why we had stayed home that night, but I am thankful that we did. Had we gone out, we would not have had a house when we came home.

In very quick succession, someone set off four fireworks.

Two landed in the unimproved lot behind our house and immediately the brush went up in flames. Another landed on a cloth covered patio chair which also started burning instantly. The fourth one landed on a wooden deck that had some pine needles fallen from the many pine trees in the area, and they started burning.

Fortunatley, we had two long water hoses on either side of the house. We turned them on the quickly growing brush fires, put them out, then turned to the ruined patio chair and the deck.

Needless to say, we kept a very careful watch the rest of the night.

We are staying home this year too. Conditions have been so dry that fireworks of any kind (other than the municipal display that is set off over the bay) are banned. But still, fireworks tents and commercial displays of fireworks are up all over the county...

[Upton]

50. Got my pasture set on fire on the 4th about 10 years ago..

your description of being outside with a hose sounds very much like what we went through except the fire never got that close to the house. We now stay home on the 4th too...in fact, I generally stay up most of the night.

I don't want fireworks banned. I think we have far too many laws already, but I don't think it's too much to ask to expect the fireworks lovers to demonstrate a little bit of responsibility.

[1monster]

91. I didn't suggest banning fireworks. I only told a story about how dangerous they can be.

And for what it's worth: The fireworks that could have burned down my house were already illegal in Florida.

These were not legal and relatively safe fireworks. They were rockets that fly up into the air and come back down somewhere.

This year, all private fireworks are banned in this county because conditions are so dry. It doesn't take much at all to start raging fires that burn uncontrollably. The slash pine is ubiquitous in this state. They are very resinous and catch fire easily. Sometimes they spontaneously combust.

I expect that fireworks lovers obey the bans. They are in place for our safety.

I enjoy fireworks myself. I confine myself and my family to LEGAL fireworks and do not use them in times that just a stray spark can cause wildfires.

[kestrel91316]

59. Some people drink too much and then drive and hurt or kill others.

That is NO reason to ban alcohol for everyone.

Professional fireworks displays at the 4th can be and are SAFE and LEGAL. Illegal and unsafe fireworks used by amateurs are by their very nature dangerous. That's why they are ALREADY ILLEGAL.

[undeterred]

33. Its the local stuff that makes my dog crazy.

If there is a park celebration that lasts a half hour for everyone to watch, that's fine. If its put on by professionals and everyone is safe - people who live nearby can deal with it once a year and we can help our pets get through it.

What I can't stand having to drug my dog 5 or 6 days in a row now because of people in the neighborhood shooting stuff of at random times in the evening. Why is this stuff legal?? People always get hurt.

[Occulus]

40. Do you drug your dog during a prolonged thunderstorm?

With lots of lightning?

[undeterred]

74. No, storms don't bother him.

Somehow he understands that's a natural phenomenon. Probably from being outside in the rain.

[taterguy]

43. +1

[Maru Kitteh]

76. People always get hurt slicing open bagels too. We should ban bagels. And bicycles,

people are always crashing their bicycles.
And bathtubs.
And boats.
And baseballs.
And batteries! People are always getting burned by batteries.
And balloons!

Why is all this dangerous stuff legal? People always get hurt. And we're not even out of the B's!

[Recovered Repug]

78. I've read that 95% of accidents happen at home.

Homes must be banned.

[Union Scribe]

83. I don't get why people are all over your ass on this.

I guess they're the ones setting off m80s all night, or they don't live near the same jackoffs we do.

[undeterred]

100. Thank you.

They don't have a terrified pet who is pacing from one end of the house to the other wondering if someone is shooting up the neighborhood.

[Union Scribe]

105. You know, when I hear jerks doing that I usually think "Republicans"

I don't know why, seems to fit with their selfish, obnoxious disregard for their neighbors. But this thread has been a real awakening.

[undeterred]

115. People are all compassionate for one poor dog left in the garbage.

But when its a few million dogs who are scared of the fireworks toys that they have their "rights" to make noise with, its "fuck em".

[cpwm17]

121. That is how I think

Having fun at other people's expense is an immature selfish act, behavior generally more associated with right-wing types.

The 4 July is my least favorite holiday. Some years I have to hear explosions at all hours of the night which can go on for over a week. The last couple of years haven't been as bad.

[Edweird]

34. "Necessary? Is it necessary for me to drink my own urine? "

"No! But I do it anyway, cause it's sterile and I like the taste."

[Maru Kitteh]

77. That's a great little movie. Funny.

[Edweird]

96. Um

"If you can dodoge a wrench you can dodge a ball"

[Maru Kitteh]

113. Ha! Ok. I'll have to watch that one then. n/t

[Edweird]

118. It is sooo funny :)

[WillowTree]

35. Right. Let's outlaw fun altogether.

Good grief.......

[Kali]

37. life isn't only about what is necessary, is it?

some might view children and pets as not strictly necessary...:shrug:

[Posteritatis]

93. I imagine "unnecessary" in this case translates as "the OP doesn't personally like it"

Which is the standard reason most people have for wanting to get rid of something just because it's "not necessary."

[fishwax]

39. i think children are much more likely to enjoy fireworks than be scared by them

Animals are a bit different, but I've had pets who liked them as well. Personally, I look forward to them.

[totodeinhere]

42. Come on. When I was a child I loved fireworks displays. Most children are not timid little

wallflowers who cower at the sight of a rocket exploding in the air. And as far as pets go, fireworks should be no more scary to them than natural phenomena such as thunder and lighting. So what are we going to do, outlaw the weather too?

[kestrel91316]

61. Heck, if some children ARE "timid little wallflowers" about fireworks,

I'd want to look pretty close at what sort of inept parenting is going on in that home.

[totodeinhere]

65. Exactly. If they scare that easily there might be issues that need to be addressed. n/t

[kestrel91316]

70. Yep. And I don't mean toddlers, who cry at the drop of a hat.

[Brickbat]

44. Living out in the boonies, it's not an issue here. I object to the fact that they're made by slave

and child labor. I hate that.

[obxhead]

46. Funny, whenever I go to a fireworks show I see children of all ages

cheering, clapping, and watching the fireworks in awe with smiles on their faces.

Yes, some pets do get scared, but not all.

I'll keep the fireworks 2 nights a year and laugh at the whiners.

[Brickbat]

47. Also, my dogs don't give a shit about fireworks, guns, thunder or much else. But if someone who

doesn't belong here walks up to the door, it's all over.

I sympathize with people who have to deal with this. A few years ago we lived in a place where our neighbors kept setting off fireworks even when the horses in our field were freaking out and we called the sheriff.

[lynne]

49. Time to BAN Thunder and BOYCOTT Lightening, too!

People Against Crickets!
DOWN with Singing Frogs!
Just say NO to Sonic Booms!
Volcano's Are Verboten!
Eliminate Earthquakes!

I'm thinking that if we protest LOUD enough, we can drown out most all noises. Don't want to frighten the children, ya' know.

WAIT . . . would we need to eliminate Rock Concerts, too? I must reconsider this . . .

[kestrel91316]

62. My scaredy-cat was terrified of my occasional coughs and sneezes for

the first couple of years I had him. BAN COUGHING AND SNEEZING!!!!! Send people to prison for that crap!!!!

[krabigirl]

54. Ugh..why? Does everything nowadays have to be sanitized and watered down, for "safety"?

[GeorgeGist]

56. and what ...

celebrate Dependence Day like frightened children?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

60. are fireworks legal for everyone where you live?

[TheKentuckian]

63. I've got zero energy for such nonsense with a black holes mass of shit coming down

We have serious problems and you want an effort against fireworks?

Walking and chewing gum is one thing but there isn't a spare focus for something this insignificant and probably controversial as this. Pure luxury and infinitely trivial.

[Serve The Servants]

64. You kidding me?

Man, I don't think I can roll my eyes any harder.

This is the kind of ridiculous shit people on our side say that just ends up being used as fodder for the right-wingers and their never ending quest to label us as "Un-American".

[GReedDiamond]

66. I live right next to a Public Park...

...which is the site for the town's fireworks display.

Tonight there will be a big crowd at the end of my driveway, people stopping their cars in the street to watch. The park itself will be filled with people, first for the live band, and after that, at 9 PM, the fireworks begin, and they literally go off directly above my house.

My cat will hide under the bed, as the sound of the explosions are incredibly loud inside the house.

I'm not a big fan of fireworks, and I believe such displays are often rooted in the glorification of war and nationalistic fervor.

In any case, I cannot escape the fireworks tonight without leaving the area, which I am not planning on, so I'm thinking about going up on the roof, it's flat, and I'd have a great view, I think.

[NYC_SKP]

67. Recommended, and I'd expect to see many more recs than unrecs.

It's a nostalgic silliness, IMO.

All good fun but anything but harmless.

I've had fires started on my property from errant home fireworks, legal or legal it's just a hazard.

In addition to the noise pollution and injuries, it's just one more example of wasting our resources and energy.

Now, please explain a Thunder Shirt.

:hi:

[auntAgonist]

73. here ........

http://www.thundershirt.com/

[NYC_SKP]

85. Very cool. Thanks.

Like being held, comforted.

thank you~

:hug:

[lynne]

87. Swaddling for dogs. Interesting. Been doing the same to babies since time began -

- and I bet you could simulate the thundershirt with a wide Ace bandage for about $5.

[flvegan]

95. Not on today's DU, I wouldn't. n/t

[Kermitt Gribble]

68. I can agree with that.

Though, I don't have much of a problem with professional firework displays. Where I live, tens of thousands of people come to the beach on the fourth to shoot off their fireworks. Drunken imbecile rednecks shooting fireworks on the beach, into the Gulf, until all hours of the night. You wouldn't believe the mess on the beach the next morning. I also don't know how there aren't more injuries with so many on-lookers standing so close.

[GreenStormCloud]

127. I used to live on the Gulf and loved the beach fireworks.

The 23 miles of beach from Biloxi to Gulfport and beyond were filled with people shooting stuff off. And boats would be anchored just offshore and shooting stuff into the air. It was beautiful.

[Joe the Revelator]

69. Fun sucks

[alcibiades_mystery]

99. Won't somebody please think of the companion animals????

:rofl:

[tritsofme]

71. Fail.

Fido gets through the thunderstorm just fine, he can make it through July.

[WinkyDink]

72. Tell my idiotic neighbors this.

[lanri1]

80. But... There's nothing more American than large explosions...

Nothing...

[meow mix]

90. i wouldnt recommend living in this area then,

large displays all week, of things illegal in most states =)

[alcibiades_mystery]

98. Run on the Ban Fourth of July Fireworks Platform

Let us know how it goes for you.

:rofl:

[Liberal_in_LA]

102. They started in my neighborhood last night. Totally illegal in Los Angeles

One of the most ignored laws. Cats are scared.

[Obamanaut]

108. Next thing you know there will be no dodge-ball or picking

teams at recess because it might hurt Johnny's feelings. Never mind, that's already in the works.

[cherokeeprogressive]

125. Or keeping score at Little League and soccer games. n/t

[hughee99]

114. As someone who spent last night calming my dog AND my 1 year old

I completely disagree. Banning fireworks at 2am? Sure. Banning fireworks without a permit? Okay. Banning fireworks all together? Nope. For those who spent considerable money on drugs and Thunder Shirts ( I don't know what those are), I'd suggest spending a few bucks soundproofing a room temporarily. That's my plan for next year.

[begin_within]

117. The solution is...

...every city needs to designate a fireworks zone where fireworks may be set off. It would be illegal to in the rest of the city including residential neighborhoods. There are a couple of cities that have already designated what areas fireworks can be lit. The designated fireworks zone would be far enough away from residences that pets won't be bothered, and it would be in an area that has no flammable material. I believe it is unrealistic to attempt to ban the use of fireworks altogether.

[Mugu]

119. Just got home from a fireworks display.

On several occasions it was impossible to hear the fireworks over the noise of several Harley's riding past.

[Blue-Jay]

120. Oh brother.

How about we just suck the fun out of everything?

[Lucian]

122. ...

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

[NYC Liberal]

126. No, they are not necessary. And they should not be banned, either. nt