Fireworks Shaming

[dvcgirl67]

Here's the problem with this argument... there are a LOT of things that hurt/kill people every year. From mowing the lawn to painting a house. Should all of those be "left to the professionals" also? Now, should there be a designated time (say before 11p? Heck, it didn't even get dark here until 9:45 or so) for them to be set off? Absolutely. But that's going to come down to enforcement. As I mentioned earlier, I can even understand setting them off on days other than the holiday.

Of course, someone could trip over a crack in my sidewalk, have a tree fall on them...etc. But when you're going out of your way to deal with a thing....a thing that has one job....to explode....well, I think that's a bit different. So far no charges in the death of the NHL player who took a firework to the chest and died. Who knows if there will be legal ramifications, but you can bet there will be a civil case.

Anyway, I'm happy to report that in my area that all was absolutely quiet last night....all got a good night's sleep and hopefully that will be the end of that until next year.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Honestly, fireworks late into the night is annoying... especially when they aren't being set off on the an actual holiday.

 

[kymom99]

In my city fireworks are legal twice a year — until midnight on July 4th and until 1am on New Year’s Eve. I’ve only been here two years, but as far as I’ve noticed people seem to respect those boundaries. The only other day of the year where fireworks are a big thing is Diwali. While not technically legal then, the general attitude among neighbors and on local social media pages seems to be positive towards fireworks being used in celebration of Diwali and it’s given a pass.

Our community had a professional fireworks display on July 2nd and the 4th was left to private citizens. Many people were setting them off; I could hear them all around and in the distance. They started at dark and stopped by about 10:45pm. I didn’t hear any in the days leading up to the 4th and there were none tonight. My pets aren’t stressed by them, no one on my street/immediate vicinity was setting them off, and ultimately they were a non-issue for us.

BUT…

I used to live in a community where people set the stupid things off year round at all hours for no good reason. It was incredibly obnoxious and dangerous. It littered the neighborhood and I used to find spent shells in my yard. My jerkwad neighbor nearly sent one into the side of my house one time. It was a townhouse community (!!) and there was absolutely no safe or respectful way to set off fireworks when houses are that close together and they’re being set off any day at any time.

The way people treat fireworks in my current area is fine — it’s enjoyable as a special occasion festivity. However, I’ve experienced how miserable it can be to live in a place where it’s out of control so, given the choice, I would elect to ban private use. For the people and animals with anxiety and PTSD, the wildlife who can’t escape indoors for respite, the safety aspects, the people who have to work in the morning… There’s just no need to be setting off explosives in residential settings. It’s absurd when you think about it.

That sounds like a reasonable idea. Give specific days they are allowed and ge done with it. At my first home, a couple moved in across the street. We were all fairly young in small starter homes. The guy goes down to the corner and shoots off stuff that rains down on our yards and cars. My H had a brand new car and was not pleased. We did not have a garage. He went out and moved the car farther down and muttered some words not fit for the DIS in passing. People just don’t think.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I find that really weird, since any kind of nonprofessional fireworks that leave the ground are extremely illegal around here, even though that never stops anyone.

I remember a friend who would order fireworks from a supplier in the late 80s. I saw the catalog, which included a lot of rockets and a claim that they were certified by the California State Fire Marshal. I'm pretty sure that's not true, but this friend claimed to have gone to the local fire station and asked about it where they said they were OK.

I've seen news stories about firework stores selling fireworks. Around here, the only places that have any kind of consumer fireworks are either party poppers and snaps (you can find these at local Target stores) or at nonprofit fundraising stands. And these stands have limited hours/days and are usually cheap plywood structures like this:

According to Readers Digest...states permitting a majority of consumer fireworks (updated 2021):

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

States permitting the sale and use of fireworks that are non-aerial and non-explosive:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• New York
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Virginia
• Wisconsin
• District of Columbia

 

[dez1978]

I live in a state where pretty much all of them are legal. We live out in the county, in what can best be described as a rural subdivision. Like it used to be a huge 250 acre farm that was divided into lots of 5-8 acres. We have 2 lots so 13 acres. But most houses are a few acres away from each other. We always do a huge fireworks thing on the 4th at our house. To the point now where some of the neighbors will text asking when we are doing it so they can plan to watch lol. There are a couple new families this year who moved in and I did text both of them since they have little kids to let them know we'd be doing it so they could prepare if needed and make sure their dogs are inside or secured. However I think we are the only ones who do that. There are 2 other houses who have been setting them off randomly for a couple weeks and will be for several more. I love fireworks, and am fine with them on the weekends and stuff. I do get irritated with the ones at 11 pm on a Wednesday lol. I don't think it's too much to expect people to be considerate of others when setting them off. Like keeping them to weekends or whatever, letting people know when to expect them. I am a rule follower so it would drive me nuts (and it did when I lived in town) to have people setting them off for days on end when we lived 50 ft from them bc it's illegal (tho the police don't do anything). But I have seen a ton of FB posts complaining about the fireworks (not ours but in town). Mostly by people complaining that their dogs are scared. And most of the ppl I see complaining that are fb friends, know their dogs are scared of them, and I am confused bc they know it's 4th of july and there will be fireworks but don't seem to do anything to help their dogs before hand. I have one dog who is scared now that she's older. So I give her some CBD and some calming chews before hand. I put her in our room with the fan and music on to drown out some of the noise and it helps a bunch. It's like the poster earlier who said that a veteran said on a b post "wear headphones and blast music for the night", I know the problem will happen, so I prepare for it.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

According to Readers Digest...states permitting a majority of consumer fireworks (updated 2021):

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

States permitting the sale and use of fireworks that are non-aerial and non-explosive:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• New York
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Virginia
• Wisconsin
• District of Columbia

It's more what a city or county allows (meant as a response to the conversation that was going on)

In my metro they are largely illegal or have restrictions. Both KS and MO are on that first list but

Missouri side:
Belton: Fireworks can be discharged from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 28 through July 3 and until midnight on July 4. The possession, sale and/or use of bottle rockets, sky rockets and Roman candles is prohibited.

Blue Springs: Fireworks are allowed from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 1-3 and from 10 a.m. to midnight on July 4. Bottle rockets and aerial luminaries are prohibited.

Gladstone: The possession, sale and use of fireworks are prohibited in Gladstone under city ordinance.

Grandview: The sale or use of fireworks are not allowed in Grandview under city ordinance.

Independence: You can shoot off consumer fireworks from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3 and 5 and from 10 a.m. to midnight on July 4, Independence police say. Sparkler bombs, sky Lanterns, and altered or combined fireworks are illegal.

Kansas City, Missouri: Shooting off fireworks is illegal in Kansas City under city ordinance.

Lee’s Summit: Fireworks can only be discharged on July 3 and 5 between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m., and on July 4 between 10 a.m. and midnight. Each house is required to have a Fireworks Use Permit before discharging fireworks within city limits.

Liberty: You can shoot non-aerial fireworks from 4-10 p.m. July 3-4. Aerial fireworks are allowed during the same timeframe for Liberty residents who live on 3-acre tracts of land or more.

North Kansas City: Fireworks are not permitted within city limits, according to city code.

Parkville: Fireworks are allowed 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 1-5 and until midnight on July 4. Aerial fireworks can be sold and possessed, but can not be discharged in Parkville city limits.

Platte City: Fireworks are allowed from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 20 to July 3 and, this year, from noon to midnight on July 4 because it falls on a Sunday, according to Platte City code.

Raytown: Fireworks can be discharged between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. July 4 and between noon and 10:00 p.m. July 5. To use fireworks in Raytown, you must get a permit from City Hall or the fire department.

Riverside: You can shoot off fireworks from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from June 26 to July 2 and on July 5, then from 10 a.m. to midnight on July 3-4. Bottle rockets are illegal.

Raymore: Fireworks are allowed to be discharged between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. July 1-3, and noon to midnight on July 4. Bottle rockets, Roman candles and aerial luminaries are not allowed.

Smithville: Fireworks can only be discharged from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. from July 3-5. Bottle rockets are illegal in Smithville city limits.

Kansas side:
Kansas City, Kansas: Fireworks can only be discharged from July 2-4 between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Lawrence: The sale, possession and use of fireworks is illegal in Lawrence city limits, with the exception of novelty items such as party poppers, snappers, sparklers and toy smoke devices.

Leavenworth: Fireworks are illegal in the city of Leavenworth.

Leawood: Fireworks are prohibited in Leawood.

Lenexa: Fireworks are not allowed in Lenexa.

Merriam: Fireworks are illegal in Merriam, according to city ordinance.

Mission: Fireworks are prohibited in Mission.

Olathe: Fireworks are not allowed in Olathe.

Overland Park: It’s illegal to buy or use fireworks in Overland Park with some exceptions for novelty fireworks like snappers, snakes, toy pistols or canes with caps.

Prairie Village: Fireworks aren’t allowed in Prairie Village city limits.

Roeland Park: Nonpoisonous snakes, smoke bombs and items of similar composition; cone fountains and whistling fountains without report; sparklers and dipped sticks; and firecrackers are allowed in Roeland Park from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. July 3-4.

Shawnee: Fireworks are banned in Shawnee except for snakes and caps, according to city officials

Tonganoxie: Fireworks are allowed from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on June 30 through July 4.

 

[design_mom]

According to Readers Digest...states permitting a majority of consumer fireworks (updated 2021):

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

States permitting the sale and use of fireworks that are non-aerial and non-explosive:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• New York
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Virginia
• Wisconsin
• District of Columbia

I also think this list is misleading. For example, in Ohio, it's legal to PURCHASE the fireworks, but it's illegal to DISCHARGE them. If you buy, you have to sign something saying you won't discharge them in Ohio and will take them out of state within 48 hours. (Yes, that's an absolutely ridiculous law, and I'm sure they know that very few people are doing it.) Sounds like Ohio has a law waiting to be signed that would allow discharge of fireworks on certain days (but it's not a law yet). I wonder if anything will change as a result of the high-profile fireworks accident involving our NHL team. It didn't happen in Ohio, but it certainly illustrates the dangers of allowing non-professional higher-grade fireworks.

 

[Malfie Cent]

I wouldn't go as far as saying you are a terrible person but if you are lighting off fireworks that shoot into the air and you live in a densely populated neighborhood or sub-division then you might be an idiot who lacks common courtesy and some intelligence. I imagine that your neighbors already know that about you though.

 

[Allison]

You can see the shaming and nastiness right on this thread.

 

[Malfie Cent]

You can see the shaming and nastiness right on this thread.

You should be ashamed if you have no regard for the mess or possible damage you do to your neighbors property.

 

[Nayan]

The big flying booms are "illegal" here (FL), but there are no shortage of them and they are easy to buy at the fireworks store due to a giant loophole. Just sign the piece of paper that says you are buying them for 'agricultural purposes' (keeping birds/animals away) and you can buy and blow up to your hearts content.

It's not even 11 am and I've already heard 3 mortars this morning. Birds must be really bad .

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Look, if it were just Independence Day, I wouldn't complain too much about it, but I can hear fireworks from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Last year, someone was setting off fireworks on Halloween.

 

[sam_gordon]

You should be ashamed if you have no regard for the mess or possible damage you do to your neighbors property.

We've been in this house for 20 years now. There's been no mess or damage to our property or neighbors. There's usually 2-3 "personal" shows in the neighborhood, including one that was across the street from us.

Does it happen? Yes. But let's not act like every "personal" show damages cars, houses, starts fires, or causes injury or death.

It would be interesting to see how many shows compared to how many issues there are. I bet the percentage is a lot smaller than what it sounds like on this thread.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

*sigh*

 

[wenrob]

According to Readers Digest...states permitting a majority of consumer fireworks (updated 2021):

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

States permitting the sale and use of fireworks that are non-aerial and non-explosive:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• New York
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Virginia
• Wisconsin
• District of Columbia

I agree with others that this is misleading. It’s going to depend on the county/city/town. Nevada is on that list. They are legal in Nye County where your nearest neighbor is typically 2+ miles away and they have wide open, flat spaces to set them off relatively safely. However, they’re illegal in Clark County where it’s densely populated and houses are on top of one another making it dangerous. The biggest part of Nevada’s population resides in Clark County so saying it’s “legal in Nevada” is too broad.

I hate the illegal fireworks and worry every year my house is going to be burned down by them. A few years ago I was hit in the head by a bottle rocket set off by neighbors. Last year the neighbor across the way and catty corner was using his tube that “made it safer” from the bed of his truck. It fell over and caused some damage. I didn’t feel bad for him at all. I noticed this year he didn’t set them off. I could tell countless stories of debris falling from the sky and landing on my roof and in my yard. It’s one thing if you want to be a fool and takes your chances but quite another to risk your neighbors homes and lives. It’s all fun and games until it’s not.

 

[Malfie Cent]

We've been in this house for 20 years now. There's been no mess or damage to our property or neighbors. There's usually 2-3 "personal" shows in the neighborhood, including one that was across the street from us.

Does it happen? Yes. But let's not act like every "personal" show damages cars, houses, starts fires, or causes injury or death.

It would be interesting to see how many shows compared to how many issues there are. I bet the percentage is a lot smaller than what it sounds like on this thread.

I've been in my neighborhood for 20+ years as well and it has happened multiple years here. i really don't care about the stats either, if one person is leaving a mess and doing damage- well then it is being done and those people are *******s.
And you can save the sanctimonious BS for someone else, I never said everyone, I was specific in who I was talking about.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've been in my neighborhood for 20+ years as well and it has happened multiple years here. i really don't care about the stats either, if one person is leaving a mess and doing damage- well then it is being done and those people are *******s.
And you can save the sanctimonious BS for someone else, I never said everyone, I was specific in who I was talking about.

So bring it up with them.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Does it happen? Yes. But let's not act like every "personal" show damages cars, houses, starts fires, or causes injury or death.

The risk is always there and every year there's property damage or loss of life or both in my area. Pondering the ratio of show to damage is just a red herring to the discussion. I get it that people think others are poo pooing on the celebration parade and at the same time just because one year something doesn't happen doesn't mean another won't. It's like the turkey fryers, every year a lot of people get hurt or damage property using them but sure there are others that don't. That doesn't mean that it isn't described with the inherent risks attached to it.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Sam does have a point, though. Neighbors are not looking to screw each other over, and a deft in-person touch (ie, not pixels) can do wonders for building relationships in the community and make things work for everyone (as I mentioned with my story earlier). I mean, almost no one else in my community bought or used any fireworks this year vs years past (we had a few folks buy their own sparklers and a few road sparkling things, and that's it...and all of it was July 4th night) b/c everyone knew last year's guy got approval from the HOA boards and the pool (when they all chatted last year after the show and mess), and he did it WAY best, so no one else "had" to b/c they could just have their kids see his show...

Just yesterday, I had someone parked in my townhome parking spot while I got home with groceries. Now, I could have just called the tow company and towed his car, but instead, I knocked on the homes around me to see if it was anyone's spot (took me 2 minutes to find the right place b/c one owner saw who parked there and where he went). So, I knocked nicely and asked if he could move it, and he, a new college student move-in, was so apologetic and nice, and then asked if I knew where he might be able to park, so I told him. And then, since I found out he was a college student, I told him I had a daughter who was a freshman going to the same school and they might want to chat (and that if he needed anything, to come knock). I also found out he has a parking pass for campus. I figure if this works out, maybe he and she can carpool together or get back late (without needing the shuttle) - and if it doesn't work out, well, no harm, no foul, but having another person on my street who thinks positively of me can only be a good thing.

 

[jrmasm]

I live in a state where pretty much all of them are legal. We live out in the county, in what can best be described as a rural subdivision. Like it used to be a huge 250 acre farm that was divided into lots of 5-8 acres. We have 2 lots so 13 acres. But most houses are a few acres away from each other. We always do a huge fireworks thing on the 4th at our house. To the point now where some of the neighbors will text asking when we are doing it so they can plan to watch lol. There are a couple new families this year who moved in and I did text both of them since they have little kids to let them know we'd be doing it so they could prepare if needed and make sure their dogs are inside or secured. However I think we are the only ones who do that. There are 2 other houses who have been setting them off randomly for a couple weeks and will be for several more. I love fireworks, and am fine with them on the weekends and stuff. I do get irritated with the ones at 11 pm on a Wednesday lol. I don't think it's too much to expect people to be considerate of others when setting them off. Like keeping them to weekends or whatever, letting people know when to expect them. I am a rule follower so it would drive me nuts (and it did when I lived in town) to have people setting them off for days on end when we lived 50 ft from them bc it's illegal (tho the police don't do anything). But I have seen a ton of FB posts complaining about the fireworks (not ours but in town). Mostly by people complaining that their dogs are scared. And most of the ppl I see complaining that are fb friends, know their dogs are scared of them, and I am confused bc they know it's 4th of july and there will be fireworks but don't seem to do anything to help their dogs before hand. I have one dog who is scared now that she's older. So I give her some CBD and some calming chews before hand. I put her in our room with the fan and music on to drown out some of the noise and it helps a bunch. It's like the poster earlier who said that a veteran said on a b post "wear headphones and blast music for the night", I know the problem will happen, so I prepare for it.

How do you know what they do or don’t do to prepare their dogs? And what about random nights? Like last Wednesday? Do pet owners need crystal balls as well So they can plan appropriately for every day that some damn yahoo wants some entertainment?

2 doses of Tradozone
thunder shirt
weighted blanket
fans and blasting tv
access to 2 windowless rooms

we did all of those things Friday, Saturday and Sunday and my dog was still terrorized.