Ban the ruddy things

Ok so I'm a bit biased, but surely, if kids cant play conkers anymore its about time fireworks were banned.

Dont get me wrong, I hate all the restrictions that are around these days, but fireworks seem to be just getting out of hand.
I'm sure there is not a recession going on, the prices of these things are crazy, but still they buy them.

We have had them now for at least three, may be four weeks, every moron in the district is letting them off.
Two nights ago a large spent rocket smashed through the first two skins of the tripple skinned roof of my conservatory.

If it had actually hit a person I'm sure they would not be around anymore.

So whats the general opinion on this "celebration" that seems to be getting out of hand.

 

Fireworks are great, if they are used responsibly. I know what you mean though, often teenagers buy them and don't use them responsibly, choosing instead to fire that at each other, and people's property.

There are fireworks on the black market that are too powerful to be legal except with a special license (for professional displays etc). A few years ago some of these illegal fireworks were in circulation in Sheffield. One was let off in a pay phone. The blast was such that the door was ripped off its hinges and launched into the road, and there wasn't even the tiniest piece of glass left in the windows. If someone had walked past at the wrong moment, I'm sure they'd have been killed or at least very badly injured.

 

Hate them Pete, My dog is in a right state, frothing at the mouth.. Flippin Heck What size was the firework that did that to your Conservatory..
Went to Asda Thursday, Loads Queuing up for them, when we got home Cassy was in the cupboard Shaking, She had chewed or scratched a hole in the Soapowder Box! They Should be Banned..

 

Dee thats another part of the argument, wildlife and domestic animals spend the best part of October and November as shivering wrecks.
It like being in a war zone at the moment here,( Ok an exaggeration ), but its not what most peopke want.

The rocket that damaged my conservatory roof was not that large really, probably quite legal, but a plastic tube with a wooden stick of 6mm in section falling from over a hundred feet lands with quite a thump.
If it hit you on the head I'm sure you would notice it.

 

I agree I hate fireworks gosh you must have got a fright Pete and Dee yes your dog and others its just not fair for animals.

Someone through a squib at one of the night. very scary .

Can here them go off again now.

 

I'm surprised that 'elf and safety hasn't banned the sale of fireworks to individuals and only allowed them to be used in "organised displays."

If they did, they would almost completely disappear, as the safety regulations for bonfires and fireworks are so stringent, many small organisations can't afford it.
I read in the paper the other day that a small sports club had a "bonefire" projected on a big screen as the cost of hiring barriers etc., was to great to have a real one.

Mind you, the days are long gone when at school we used to make our own bangers and rockets. We used to buy the potassium nitrate, sulphur and charcoal....in Boots the chemists!

 

Some years back they brought in 'Super Bangs' and other excessively loud fireworks. Now I have read they are producing 'quieter' ones, do you think they will make a difference? I don't. :skp:
I personally would prefer them to only be used in Public displays but then that would infringe peoples freedom or something.

 

I agree Pete. I would still be happy for the old fashioned use of them - but everything is overdone nowadays. They were letting them off last night after 1 am - which is pretty antisocial. Sorry to hear about your damage.

 

Interesting thread and comments.
It is noticed that in our area there is a lack of fireworks compared to other years.
Best shows where a couple of organised local events. Very few houshold affairs.
Even the vicarage near by is feeling the pinch this year.
As for our cat Mojo, we shut him in as required and he fretted all evening to get out and would sit up the front window watching the few fireworks there was!
I agree with the general feelings.
Ban sales to the general public and only attend organised events, but having said that it was a few years ago a chap was burned at one of our local big shows and since then there has not been one at that location.

 

It's the same with anything, there are always some people who overdo things or abuse a freedom.

I like fireworks and don't have a problem with them if they are let off on bommie night.

 

Maybe it's a sign of the times that people are generally much better off these days. We get "a week of it" and then it starts again on New Year's Eve.

 

Round here, it's been very a very quiet Guy Fawlkes month, but the weather has been so bad around the fifth what with high winds and torrential rain, I'm wondering if people are hoarding the high explosives up intending to have a super bash at Christmas or New Year, I hope not!
My view, they're totally out of hand and far too dangerous. Ban them completely.

 

I think banning them would be a bad thing. As I mentioned in an earlier post, illegal ones are easy enough to get on the black market. At least with ones sold in shops there are some BS safety regulations applied. As annoying and even dangerous it is when kids get hold of legal ones and misuse them, I'd rather that than see them running about with illegal ones with 10 or more times the explosive force.

Plus if they are sold in shops, the shopkeeper stands a chance of knowing who's bought what and has nothing to lose by phoning the police if he/she thinks something untoward is going on. Someone selling dodgy imported/stolen ones isn't going to care either way who buys them and what they do with them, as long as they get their cash.

 

The point I'm making is that the rocket that did the damage to my roof was probably totally legal and not let off by a bunch of teenagers having a good time.

It was set off by someone in their own back garden, quite legally and not intending to cause any problems.

The thing is these people are just enjoying themselves, but without any thought for others,(normal thing these days), I hate regulations on things but surely something that has such an impact on the rest of the community should be taken more seriously.

I would like it to be public displays only and no sale to individuals.

i can remember back in the 70s bonfire night nearly died out, and then in the 80s or early 90s they started selling larger fireworks to the public, and it all took off again.
I guess its such a money spinner now that any ban would be totally rejected by the supermarkets etc.


I should point out that I dont really care if the fireworks have any British standard safety regs.

If they should blow up while they are being lit, then that is the chance the lighter takes.