Tuesday
15th October 2002
Have your say: Fireworks, is a ban right? |
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Remember remember the 5th November... |
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Manchester,
Salford and Oldham have been named as some of the worst accident 'hot-spot'
areas in the UK for injuries caused by fireworks.
In the last year injuries among young teenagers have gone up by more
than 50%. |
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The ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ is not responsible for the content
of external websites. |
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Here's
a further selection of your views.
Have your say>>>
From
Ken, Accrington
A series of air bombs exploded near my flat at 3:00am, now I am certainly
for banning them. I have an elderly mother who lives in sheltered
accommodation. She is afraid of answering the door at the moment due
to trick or treat kids. I told her to tell them to go away, she replied,
βI am frightened that they will push fireworks through my doorβ, she
now sits in afraid to answer the door at all. The fact the children
will use fire works to terrorise old people and older youths whoβs
parents let them set off fire bombs at 3 am is a reflection of our
society. The banning of fireworks removes the tools that they use
to terrorise but does not remove the fact the children have no morals
and no knowledge of the consequences of their actions. I am sure that
it is a small number of extreme youths with irresponsible parents.
Lets have a solution that hits the parents who provide access to the
fireworks. Stop and search suspected children, if they are in possession
of fireworks and they are under the age of 18, fine the parents Β£100
per child. Bet that stops them! In addition, lets ban the noisy ones.
Why do we need air bombs? I thought fireworks were about a wonderful
visual display.
From
Andy, Manchester
"stop me enjoying what is a part of Britishness and a happy season
for me!" Its not a fireworks season, its bonfire NIGHT, one evening
a year, not 6mths. You list the things that YOU dont do, would you
like to make a list of the anti social activities many teens take
part in, and include the deaths and injuries that occur each year,
needlessly. "I will NOT listen to dogooders and safety campaigners
or have advice forced down my throat by anybody NCFS/Fire Brigade/ROSPA
" You're attitude is very disturbing bordering on blind ignorant addiction,
and coming from a 32 year old is even more worrying.
From
Anthony, Accrington, Lancashire
I'am going to enjoy fireworks every year;I don't see why I should
be curtailed because I never set them off at antisocial hours and
I use them properly and safely as per instructions and I don't set
out to injure animals/people and nor do I set out to damage property
with them. I will NOT listen to dogooders and safety campaigners or
have advice forced down my throat by anybody NCFS/Fire Brigade/ROSPA
whoever that I SHOULD attend organised events because I will NOT do
it at all whatsoever. The namby-pambys can go on banging their drum-none
of it will stop me enjoying what is a part of Britishness and a happy
season for me!
From
Anthony, Accrington, Lancashire
I'am 32 and still enjoy fireworks, but I don't go setting them off
at stupid and antisocial hours and I DON'T like airbombs NOR do I
buy them anyway (and I'am glad the UK fireworks companies are NOT
selling them next year); I always buy pretty fireworks with some noise
sometimes with a bang or two and I don't feel these should be banned.
From
Andy, Manchester
I should imagine i would have responded the same way Anthony has,
when i was of school age. I'm asuming Anthony is of school age. one
question Anthony, when you start work you may have to be up at 6am,
will you be happy to listen to air bombs outside your house till 2am,
3am, for 6mths of the year. I promise you , you wont.
From
Anthony in Accrington Lancashire
I enjoy using and setting off fireworks because I'AM responsible and
sensible with them,why should I be banned from doing so if I do NOT
cause property damage or personal injury with them? You are ALL a
bunch of killjoys!
From
Terence Sullivan
Few would disagree that something has to be done to curtail this inreasingly
serious nuisance. Three obvious recommendations might be:
1.)
No more high street and corner shops selling any type of firework
- to anyone, period. Sale of all fireworks only through specialist,
vetted, registered, and licensed vendors.
2.) All year round sales? Yes, but more expensive and limited in quantity
with rigorous 'proof of age' AND identity procedure enforced by supplier
(just like hiring a car).
3.) Better enforcement with much, stiffer penalties and, if appropriate,
revocation of license for anyone found guilty of supplying or storing
explosives/ fireworks illegally.
The trick is not to make fireworks unavailable, just less readily
available. Pricing them and placing them out of the 'pocket-money'
market and firmly into the adult market where they surely belong.
From
Andy
I must admit, i'm begining to become convinced that there should be
a complete ban, but who is really to blame, the kids that are buying
them, or the companys and stores that sell them. The supermarkets
(that earn millions in profit)are now also selling them, usually sold
by a spotty post pubesant in the entrance of the store,lets face it
kids will do what they are allowed to do, and because of the greed
and disregard companys have for the misery the product causes for
millions of people, the growth in sales continues to rise.... as does
the contempt for a product that once gave so much joy. Its now 11:15pm
and my home is continually being shaken by air bombs.
From
Jan
The fireworks available today are not like those on sale when I was
a child (I'm in my 40's). They were really beautiful to watch, and
not too noisy - they never bothered my pets at the time! Unfortunately
today they really are more like explosive devices, so if you put them
in the hands of the foolhardy, inexperienced and irresponsible you're
not only inconvenienced by the noise but asking for trouble. I say
BAN ALL FIREWORKS except for sparklers and those strictly for use
at organised events. Or at least only sell them for 5 days prior to
5th November, thats time enough for those who want them to get them,
and certainly DON'T ALLOW THEM ON SALE FOR THE NEW YEAR. We don't
need a repeat of November 5th every December 31st - or must we follow
like sheep from wherever the stupid idea originated? Millennium New
Year I agree was an exception, but whats so special about each normal
New Year's Eve? Why do we, our pets and "old people" have to suffer
all over! again? And don't talk to me about "infringements" of people's
rights to enjoy fireworks - what about my right to peace & quiet in
my own house? it wouldn't be so bad if it was for a couple of nights
only or a weekend, but it starts in September and goes right through
the dark nights season. And to those who make their living selling
fireworks all year round, I wish your business a prompt & total demise
- you are no better than drug peddlers because you don't care what
harm your business causes so long as you make your living.
From
Greg
Current legislation on private use has been proved to be unenforcable.
We have to have a complete ban except for properly licensed displays.
From
Lyn
Fireworks should only be used in displays. They should not be on sale
throughout the year. We are now persecuted throughout the year with
fireworks going off at all hours of the day and night. If shops must
sell fireworks, then they should go back to the old system of selling
fireworks 2 weeks before Bonfire Night only. If youngsters want explosions,
then perhaps they should be drafted into the army and sent to a war
zone where there are plenty of explosions.
From
Tony Thomas
I Am not against organised firework displays. I like to go to properly
organised and safe displays. But i am against the sale of fireworks
(explosives) to the general public and the idiots that set them off
with no consideration for animals the old and infirm and people working
odd shift patterns. How many more children have to be maimed and killed
for the profits of shops selling them. I hope the byers at all the
superstores can sleep knowing that the fireworks that they have sold
to someone will probably have injured someone, frightened an old person
and scared silly the local cats and dogs.
From
Mike P
We have two dogs and every night (and sometimes in the day) for the
past month they look like they are going to die of heart attack!.
2, 3, 4 & 5 o'clock in the morning, BANG, my wife & I get very little
sleep during Sept, Oct, Nov & Dec because we have to attend to the
dogs. Lets at least follow the Isles Of Man and take steps to putting
a halt to the sale of fireworks until near 5th of November and lets
reduce the number of outlets to the absolute minimum, controlling
the sales to organisations only and NOT to individuals.
From
Andy
In reply to Anthonys query about setting off fireworks in public places,
it is indeed illegal to set them off and the last time i heard, there
was a fine of at least Β£1000 and in the very worst incidents (where
it causes personal injury) ,a prison sentence can be given. The problem
is proving a case, but with the widespread ownership of video cams,
those that are suffering really badly might consider the use of them.
I loved bonfire night as a kid, and i dont wish to deprive future
generations of the same thrill i used to get, but the situation as
it is, cannot reamain unchecked. I can put up with a couple of weeks
of it, but 6mths is a joke. I think Anthonys comparison with Soya
products and Fireworks is invalid, the users of soya dont interfere
with peoples choice for a peacefull life.....where as fireworks.....
From
J Riley
Thank goodness someone has had the sense to ban those noisy kind of
fireworks. Every year we wait with a sinking heart for september to
approach- yes september- which is when the bangs and screaming noises
start. what amazes me is the bangs in the middle of the night! if
it's kids doing it, where the heck do their parents think they are
at 2am in the morning?? and just to change the subject, but kind of
in the same vein, stop parents letting their hooligan kids wander
the streets til all hours of the night anyway.
From
Charles Tomkinson
The sale of fireworks should only be from licensed and approved dealers.
Anyone found selling to under-age youngsters should automatically
be banned from dealing in firwroks as should anyone with a criminal
record. We should also move towards sales only to authorised users
- people who have passed a simple test to show that they know how
to handle fireworks safely.
From
Di Norton
Ban fireworks from public sale. Year after year shops show they're
too irresponsible about who they sell to and when. People who buy
them are not responsible either. Official designated events only.
From
Anthony
I agree that the sale period of fireworks should be restricted to
a maximum of 2 weeks prior to Nov 5th. The effect of earlier and earlier
sales seems to be exactly the same as it is with christmas goods.
There is no need for a ban to prevent school children from setting
off fireworks as the sale to them is already illegal. Here we simply
need more rigorous enforcement of the laws already in place. Setting
off fireworks in public places is something I certainly don't agree
with, and would be surprised if were not already illegal. Simply for
the same reasons you are not allowed to fire guns or light fires in
the streets. Legislating against particular firework effects would
be tricky, leaving large grey areas and potentially restrict the creativity
of our firework manufacturers. Let us not lose the right to be proud
that the UK produces some of the finest fireworks in the work. Ban
public displays?! Why on earth would you want to remove the most controlled,
environmentally friendly and safe way to enjoy Nov 5th? To me this
sounds like groundless opinion of someone who personally does not
enjoy firework displays, and therefore believes that no one should
be able to experience them. I take a dim view of such closed-mindedness.
Banning all fireworks is not an effective way to eliminate their misuse.
You will simply drive the industry underground to the black market.
Except that the fireworks will then be completely unregulated and
would likely be considerably more hazardous than legitimate fireworks.
Let us not forget that the banning of handguns did not prevent their
misuse. In fact, handgun crime has doubled since the ban. On a somewhat
related note, we shouldn't allow our country to become a complete
nanny state. We should have the liberty and freedom to chose to partake
in slightly dangerous activities, such as using fireworks, if we so
chose. The answer is not to ban all things dangerous, else cars would
be the first thing to go, and before you know it we're all forced
to use plastic cutlery... I noticed that most of the replies on this
page were from people opposed to fireworks, I thought that I might
address the balance. I am a fireworks enthusiast and enjoy the safe
use of fireworks in an appropriate area. I have never had an accident
and I set of my fireworks either on the 5th Nov itself, or the closest
weekend. The "display" is always held within reasonable hours too.
Whilst I fully realise that not everyone will like fireworks, personally
I do. I enjoy the dazzling effects, the smell of the smokes, the chest
thumping reports, the anticpation after lighting a fuse. I personally
do not like soya, or vegetarian meat substitutes, but I respect the
wishes of the people that do. Similarly, I'd expect those that do
not like fireworks to respect that some people do.
From
Maria Berry
As a kid I absolutely loved Bonfire Night and I would like my son
to feel the same way when he's old enough, but the fact that anybody
can buy fireworks at any time of year is just ridiculous and is ruining
the whole point of the day. Fireworks create the most horrendous noise
pollution from September right through to January. Why not just sell
them from 1st to 5th November? If that were the case, my 18-month
old cat wouldn't have died from a heart attack last week when some
kids were messing with screaming rockets and bangers outside my house.
From
Carlos
HAVING JUST BEEN THE VICTIM OF AN ATTACK BY TWO PRE PUBESCENT PSYCHOPATHS;
WHO HAD NO QUALMS WHATSOEVER, ABOUT FIRING A FIREWORK INTO THE DOORWAY
OF ASDA. IHAVE NO DOUBTS THAT THEY SHOULD BE BANNED. I WOULD ALSO
POINT OUT WE ARE ABOUT TO BE SUBJECTED TO A FIRE BRIGADE STRIKE. SURELY
NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO USE EMERGENCY POWERS
TO BAN THEM. OR ARE THEY MORE INTERESTED IN THE EXTRA REVENUE THEY
MAKE THIS TIME OF YEAR.
From
anthony
Garden and display firework airbomb roman candle type fireworks and
other fireworks which bang too(cakes/batteries/barrages and report
rockets and airbomb mines)plus screechbang rockets should also be
banned. All fireworks with pretty effects ie crackles/colours/comets/spinners/
whizzers/whistles/colourful stars/colourful starbursts/glitter etc
should be the norm and the only ones on sale;but even then there are
you noise problems you cannot stop-roman candle batteries/cakes and
barrages thump when they throw out the effects,plus there aren't many
true no-bang rockets(this is merely a side-effect of the stars being
thrown clear of the casing and there is little that can be done about
this). Mines produce a thud when blowing the stars out. Launch thumps
from fireworks are quite acceptable to me,as long as the effect doesn't
bang it shouldn't be that bad to no-one. Often the bangs from colour
and effect garden and display rockets are often over before anyone
can complain. I have no problem with fireworks which produce pretty
effects and sometimes with a bang but I have no desire to be amazed
by fireworks which just bang with no pretty effect.
Anonymous
Ban them completely forever. No organised displays whatsoever. There
are too many stupid kids and fireworks about and the two donot mix.
Parents should keep their kids in at night instead of letting them
roam about in the dark anyway
From
Andy
I've always been a fan of fireworks, but when i was a kid , you could
only buy them about 2 weeks before bonfire night, and the day after
nov 5th they stopped selling them, its time to return to that system.
We now hear fireworks from Sept right into the New year, and at all
hours, 2am , 3am ...and local kds have a new hobby of using them to
smash car windscreens. Why do the authorities wait years before they
act to stop easily controllable matters like this, that causes misery
for many people (and animals)?
From
Chris Higginbottom
Fireworks should be like firearms, and require a licence for their
sale and purchase. The licence should only be issued after a thorough
training course has been passed, and any misuse of that licence should
be punished by a life ban. This is the only way that we can be rid
of this menace.
From
A.Mallender
Fireworks should be banned from public sale. We now have to put up
with them all year round but especially in the weeks approaching 5th
November when they are exploding for hours every single night. I have
a little dog who spends every evening trembling uncontrollably with
fear from the loud bangs. Her life is a misery after dark and I'm
sure other animals must suffer the same. We can cope with a few nights
each year but it is all the year round. BAN THEM
From
J.Holt
How many people have to be injured/killed before these lethal 'weapons'
are banned? Fireworks should be used at organised displays ONLY
From
Philip Hale
It is time that Fireworks were banned. The thugs now seem to rule
communities just doing what they please. Fireworks, thats a laugh,
try bomb's. The explosives set off round here rock the foundations
of the house. No wonder people and animals feel vunerable 6 weeks
before 5th Nov and 4 weeks after.
From
D.Lees
The first air-bomb firework went off near us on September 7th. They
have been going off on a nightly basis since. They will continue to
go off all this month and the rest of November, with scant regard
for the actual date of November 5th. They will then make a return
appearance for the Christmas/New Year period. Bonfire night should
be renamed Bomb Season, as the fireworks are being let off continually
for over a three month period.
From
Lisa Aldous
Fireworks should only be available for organized displays.At the moment
they seem to be available all year round.I hear them every evening
after schools have finished until the early hours of the morning and
then some before schools open again.They get louder each year & our
whole house shakes,which terrifies our little boy.Firework displays
are wonderful to watch,but the 'bombs' which are on sale are frightening.
From
Anthony
Airbombs and screechbang/whistlebang rockets should be outlawed as
should anything which bangs with pretty or noisy effects ie flash
report roman candles/barrages/cakes/batteries/maroon rockets and report
mines. You can get nice ones;yes they bang or they sometimes have
noisy colourful breaks and other nice effects and these shouldn't
be outlawed. Also roman candles and roman cakes/batteries and barrages
and fountain mines produce a loud thump when throwing the stars out(this
cannot be helped and there is little you can do about it). Also very
few rockets are true no bang rockets(this is a side effect of the
stars being thrown out of the head,again little can be done about
it)but the starburst rockets are quite pretty and the bang is often
over before anyone can complain anyway.
From
Andy
I've always been a fan of fireworks, but when i was a kid , you could
only buy them about 2 weeks before bonfire night, and the day after
nov 5th they stopped selling them, its time to return to that system.
We now hear fireworks from Sept right into the New year, and at all
hours, 2am , 3am ...and local kds have a new hobby of using them to
smash car windscreens. Why do the authorities wait years before they
act to stop easily controllable matters like this, that causes misery
for many people (and animals)?
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