@voltronic As people set of mortars outside my dwelling... I think there should be... stricter guidelines around the usage.
They are explosives half the time, and people should have to take a competency test to get a license to have them... just like all other dangerous things...
cause it's not just the fireworks that's at play when people use them, it's usually inebriated people who set them off, like those outside my place right now.
@voltronic It hasn't rained here in weeks. When I walk in my yard it crunches. And yet the morons a half mile away are shooting them off in drunken stupors.
@voltronic
Once they're in the air, the danger escalates rapidly.
I would say allow things that stay on the ground, like "fountain" types, but they must be used on a paved surface a minimum distance from structures/vegetation/vehicles. Also, nothing that goes "bang." In addition to the effect the noise has on pets/veterans, those sudden explosions are more dangerous than prolonged sprays of sparks.
@voltronic Someone shared this with me.
Given the number of times that the fire department was called out over the weekend and through last night - definitely harmful.
(I also have a friend whose child was injured at a municipal display, so they aren't 100% even when handled by professionals.)
@voltronic Not simple to answer. I used to love them, but with weather patterns shifting, we have had multiple years of ongoing summer fires and loss of critical habitat, not to mention increases in lung disease, loss of homes and livelihoods, and secondary pollution of waterways.
Given that people are not using common sense and setting off in dry areas, as well as using flying firework, not to mention pet/people PTSD, I'm leaning towards harmful.
Could be done safely, but it isn't.
To be clear, I am not talking about professional fireworks displays. I consider those works of art.