Why I don't like fireworks on the Fourth...

[Beth Andrea]

...And the long night starts...

Sounds like a war zone out there, which is the point I suppose (not so much "into" war as when I was presenting as male)...but it's the screams I don't like.

Screams not in excitement, but wailing screams, like someone just got their hand blown off accidentally...or (my imagination is crazy wild at times like this) as if a bully chased someone down and stuffed a firecracker in their pants, and laughs madly while his/her victim is screaming...

Why do people scream like they're in pain? (I did check out the first few screamers in my neighborhood...they're fine, of course. It's just my imagination that is killing me). Shrieks...howling...sounds of feet running, the sirens get closer...did someone get hurt? Don't know if I should hope it's a cop, or an ambulance...or a firetruck.

My downstairs neighbor (an Afghanistan war vet with PTSD) plays his music SUPER LOUD, in order to drown out the mayhem. I know he's disturbed by this conflict, also. I can't imagine how he interprets the screams...

Not even Halloween affects me like the Fourth does. I hate the night.

[Cindy]

 Hi Beth Andrea.
Interesting comment
I hadn't thought of the vet issues.

When I was in the UK many years ago, Guy Fawkes night was a time when the poms would set off fireworks at home etc and I remember that people were maimed and burned. I think it has been banned now.

In Australia fireworks are illegal but there are organised events for special occasions.

But people do make their own, one of the nastiest occasions I heard off was attended by an ex student of mine who was an ENT surgeon. She was called into emergency to insert a breathing tube into a young man who had lit a homemade firework that blew up in his face.

She was in a bad way the next day and told me that she couldn't find enough of the man's face to trace where to insert the tube.

I also think they should be banned. JMO.

But I hope you had a happy 4 July in any case!

Cindy

[Adam (birkin)]

I agree...hearing people screaming is something that really upsets me as well. I can handle fireworks, but I worry when people scream and I get really anxious. Actually, I feel the same way when children scream while playing. I get almost angry and panicked, because I think that what if some kid really got hurt and no one knew because of screaming? What if a child was abducted and no one noticed the scream because it's just "kids playing"? Parents need to teach their kids that screaming isn't a game.

[FTMDiaries]

When I was in the UK many years ago, Guy Fawkes night was a time when the poms would set off fireworks at home etc and I remember that people were maimed and burned. I think it has been banned now.

Oh, Cindy - I so wish this were true. There was talk of banning the general sale of fireworks a couple of years ago, but that all just fizzled out. Or it turned out to be a damp squib. Take your pick of corny fireworks references.

Guy Fawkes night (5 November) is supposed to be a cheerful occasion where families gather around bonfires in the local area and watch organised fireworks. I've taken my kids to several, and they've generally been great.

But fireworks are on sale to the general public in most shops & supermarkets in the UK, starting around September to get the early punters. They're supposed to be for Guy Fawkes night, but of course November is just before December (and people also like to use fireworks on New Year's Eve) so they remain in the shops from September through January/February, when the stocks run out. So in our neighbourhood we get idiots setting off fireworks every single night from September through February. They even set them off during daylight hours. Seriously.

The reason why I hate this so much is three-fold: 1) several members of my family have asthma, which is triggered by fireworks; 2) I'm autistic, so sudden flashes of light and sound are very distressing to me; and 3) I'm a South African who used to live just up the road from the infamous township of Katlehong (where 'necklacing' was invented), where every night you would hear gunfire & smell burning. Heck, we even moved out of one of our houses after a bullet came through my parents' bedroom window.

When I moved back to the UK, I was so terrified the first time the fireworks went off in my neighbourhood that I hid under the furniture (like I had been trained to do) and called the police, because the idiots were setting off rapid-fire fireworks just behind my house which sounded just like an AK-47 going off at close range. And yes, I do have the 'honour' of knowing exactly what that sounds like. I had no idea that they were fireworks; who'd expect fireworks on some random Tuesday afternoon in September?

We used to celebrate Guy Fawkes in South Africa too - but the most dangerous thing you could buy was sparklers.

[Cindy]

Oh, Cindy - I so wish this were true. There was talk of banning the general sale of fireworks a couple of years ago, but that all just fizzled out. Or it turned out to be a damp squib. Take your pick of corny fireworks references.

Guy Fawkes night (5 November) is supposed to be a cheerful occasion where families gather around bonfires in the local area and watch organised fireworks. I've taken my kids to several, and they've generally been great.

But fireworks are on sale to the general public in most shops & supermarkets in the UK, starting around September to get the early punters. They're supposed to be for Guy Fawkes night, but of course November is just before December (and people also like to use fireworks on New Year's Eve) so they remain in the shops from September through January/February, when the stocks run out. So in our neighbourhood we get idiots setting off fireworks every single night from September through February. They even set them off during daylight hours. Seriously.

The reason why I hate this so much is three-fold: 1) several members of my family have asthma, which is triggered by fireworks; 2) I'm autistic, so sudden flashes of light and sound are very distressing to me; and 3) I'm a South African who used to live just up the road from the infamous township of Katlehong (where 'necklacing' was invented), where every night you would hear gunfire & smell burning. Heck, we even moved out of one of our houses after a bullet came through my parents' bedroom window.

When I moved back to the UK, I was so terrified the first time the fireworks went off in my neighbourhood that I hid under the furniture (like I had been trained to do) and called the police, because the idiots were setting off rapid-fire fireworks just behind my house which sounded just like an AK-47 going off at close range. And yes, I do have the 'honour' of knowing exactly what that sounds like. I had no idea that they were fireworks; who'd expect fireworks on some random Tuesday afternoon in September?

We used to celebrate Guy Fawkes in South Africa too - but the most dangerous thing you could buy was sparklers.

Oh Goddess,

I left the UK in then 70's and thought it was all over!!

I'm so sorry to hear it continues

[FTMDiaries]

Oh Goddess,

I left the UK in then 70's and thought it was all over!!

I'm so sorry to hear it continues

Thanks. Sadly, it has become much worse over the past 10 years.

[Cindy]

Thanks. Sadly, it has become much worse over the past 10 years.

You are a remarkable person.

Thank you for being a member of this site.

[FTMDiaries]

You are a remarkable person.

Thank you for being a member of this site.

Thanks Cindy! It's an honour and a privilege to be here amongst such fine company.

Do you know what? Dealing with all of that everyday, casual violence in South Africa is actually pretty similar to dealing with Gender Dysphoria. Life deals you a crummy hand that you didn't actually want and you have no choice but to keep your head down (or hide under/in the furniture) and put up with the torment until you can get the heck out of there.

Gender Dysphoria: the new Katlehong.

[peky]

I can see how some combat vets have a hard time with fireworks...flash backs and all of that...In an ideal work some of them would be able to retreat to an isolated area to escape the noise...Perhaps other sensitive people -usually the elderly- can follow this advice too. 

In any case, is just one day a year Ladies!

For me, despite being a combat vet myself, fireworks are "intense" and as American as Apple pie and Rock'n'Roll and Coke and Jeans...
and how can you not scream with all that bang and lights?

"Banning Fireworks" no in my state dudes and dudettes...

BTW tomorrow is the best day to go haunting for cheap fireworks for next year...

[peky]

I recommend South Carolina where you can buy some awesome "Roman Candles"

[peky]

Just in case you wonder where the fireworks come in on respect to our Independence Day

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there

[Beth Andrea]

I can see how some combat vets have a hard time with fireworks...flash backs and all of that...In an ideal work some of them would be able to retreat to an isolated area to escape the noise...Perhaps other sensitive people -usually the elderly- can follow this advice too. 

In any case, is just one day a year Ladies!

For me, despite being a combat vet myself, fireworks are "intense" and as American as Apple pie and Rock'n'Roll and Coke and Jeans...
and how can you not scream with all that bang and lights?

"Banning Fireworks" no in my state dudes and dudettes...

BTW tomorrow is the best day to go haunting for cheap fireworks for next year...

Hmm...I wonder if you would say that to a rape victim, or to the family of a "necklacing"?

"It's just one day a year...(so get over it already)!" 

At any rate, about midnight the police were making a very heavy presence in the neighborhoods, and most of the fireworks were gone. (Usually they go around about 2 to tell everyone it's time to go to bed) The kids, of course, had already stopped screaming (went to bed? I hope so...) around 11.

I'm glad it's over now. 

[DriftingCrow]

I can see how some combat vets have a hard time with fireworks...flash backs and all of that...In an ideal work some of them would be able to retreat to an isolated area to escape the noise...Perhaps other sensitive people -usually the elderly- can follow this advice too. 

NPR just did a story about Vets with PTSD and Fourth of July celebrations, they said some vets organizations are making firework-free celebrations out in areas where it's far away from where people will be shooting off explosives.

Thanks everyone for your service. 

[Mollie]

I just love them. Sorry to be mostly out of step. This is the 1st time in 10 years that I have not been in the USA for July 4th. Independence and autonomy is something to treasure and celebrate. The occasion for me however always has an underlying sadness as I know that it is looking unlikely that Scotland will vote for independence next year as the English controlled media pour out scare stories and nonsense day after day about the consequences of poor and stupid Scots thinking they could ever run their own country.. For ever more Scotland will be considered by most of the world as part of England. Even the English often call the UK England and sadly, many Americans do so also; Prime minister of England : Queen of England : England is an Island etc etc.

It's so so deeply saddening and depressing.

[Asfsd4214]

I just love them. Sorry to be mostly out of step. This is the 1st time in 10 years that I have not been in the USA for July 4th. Independence and autonomy is something to treasure and celebrate. The occasion for me however always has an underlying sadness as I know that it is looking unlikely that Scotland will vote for independence next year as the English controlled media pour out scare stories and nonsense day after day about the consequences of poor and stupid Scots thinking they could ever run their own country.. For ever more Scotland will be considered by most of the world as part of England. Even the English often call the UK England and sadly, many Americans do so also; Prime minister of England : Queen of England : England is an Island etc etc.

It's so so deeply saddening and depressing.

If it helps, I don't consider Scotland apart of England, the Scottish are way cooler.

On another note, reading this thread has honestly made my head spin a little.

Can't believe nobodies made a joke yet about the subtle irony of celebrating Guy Fawkes Night by deliberately setting off explosives.

I can see how some combat vets have a hard time with fireworks...flash backs and all of that...In an ideal work some of them would be able to retreat to an isolated area to escape the noise...Perhaps other sensitive people -usually the elderly- can follow this advice too. 

In any case, is just one day a year Ladies!

For me, despite being a combat vet myself, fireworks are "intense" and as American as Apple pie and Rock'n'Roll and Coke and Jeans...
and how can you not scream with all that bang and lights?

"Banning Fireworks" no in my state dudes and dudettes...

BTW tomorrow is the best day to go haunting for cheap fireworks for next year...

Couldn't agree with you more. 

[peky]

I just love them. Sorry to be mostly out of step. This is the 1st time in 10 years that I have not been in the USA for July 4th. Independence and autonomy is something to treasure and celebrate. The occasion for me however always has an underlying sadness as I know that it is looking unlikely that Scotland will vote for independence next year as the English controlled media pour out scare stories and nonsense day after day about the consequences of poor and stupid Scots thinking they could ever run their own country.. For ever more Scotland will be considered by most of the world as part of England. Even the English often call the UK England and sadly, many Americans do so also; Prime minister of England : Queen of England : England is an Island etc etc.

It's so so deeply saddening and depressing.

Well, this Yank girl knows the difference between Scotland and England...language, food, music, history, and genetics...a sea of differences..
and would love to see and independent Scotland...

Why? because despite not being Scottish I do identify with the Scottish people perhaps because I grew up in the Highlands...

so, cheer up Lass

[Sara Thomas]

I enjoy fireworks, I s'pose - but living in a tinderbox that stretches as far as the eye can see... plus a bit, causes me to wonder if setting them off is such a bright idea (no pun intended).

[John Smith]

Over here you'd usually only see fireworks around new years eve. During christmas is the only time a year it is available for people to buy.

While I like the sight of fireworks, I do wish they would just ban it. People start firing it off randomly from the day it's available in stores to the first days of january. It terrorizes animals (and people). If people would stick to setting it off around midnight on new years, then it would be fine.

[Sammy]

We have fireworks for sale here and folks usually buy them for New Year celebrations. I used to do this too - once a firecracker went off in my hand - it was a small one, but I had to seek medical assistance on the next day... Then I realised that is just blowing up Your money into sky .
The most ugly thing I ever saw, when some drunken newbs installed the firewerks battery, except they placed it upside down. So as soon as that thing went off and rockets started to come out of it, it started to raise like a real jet rocket - it came up for about  0.5 m and then fell back sideways. Needless to say that all remaining rockets (about 20 of them) went out horizontally... It was a lucky coincidence that they only hit the wall and doors of the opposing house and none of them hit the windows on the ground floor.

[Beth Andrea]

We have fireworks for sale here and folks usually buy them for New Year celebrations. I used to do this too - once a firecracker went off in my hand - it was a small one, but I had to seek medical assistance on the next day... Then I realised that is just blowing up Your money into sky .

Some people spend several hundred dollars for big combo sets, or just bags of them...these are working class types, too, without a ton of money, but dayum they like boasting about how much they spent...I'd be so embarrassed, kinda like spending an entire paycheck on booze for a weekend binge.  But hey, it's their money...

The most ugly thing I ever saw, when some drunken newbs installed the firewerks battery, except they placed it upside down. So as soon as that thing went off and rockets started to come out of it, it started to raise like a real jet rocket - it came up for about  0.5 m and then fell back sideways. Needless to say that all remaining rockets (about 20 of them) went out horizontally... It was a lucky coincidence that they only hit the wall and doors of the opposing house and none of them hit the windows on the ground floor.

I think I know why they did this..."Hey Bubba, do it this way and it'll be easier to light the fuses...then we'll just turn the box over, save us a lot of time, so we can drink more BEER!"