If you’re going to use fireworks, practice safety and consideration
On Tuesday, the Observer-Reporter and the 蘑菇视频 reported how this time of year is one of high anxiety for dogs, who tend to get rattled by the fireworks that celebrate the Fourth of July. The article pointed out that some dog owners resort to weighted blankets, treats infused with CBD or simply turning up the volume on their TVs or sound systems to keep their canine from having a meltdown. Cat owners can also attest that the rockets’ red glare and the bombs bursting in air can leave their feline pals scurrying to the basement or hiding under beds or desks.
And while fireworks going off in the neighborhood can be a stressor for pets, it can also cause the blood pressure of their human companions to spike as well. Neighbors setting off fireworks deep into the night when someone needs to sleep because they have work or other obligations the next day can be plenty annoying. Young children can be unnerved by fireworks going off nearby, as can older individuals or veterans who might be dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Unfortunately, some people end up enduring far worse because of amateur pyrotechnics.
Fingers, limbs and lives have been lost as a result of the misuse of fireworks. In 2019, there were about 10,000 fireworks injuries across the United States, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and more than half of those injuries happened to people under the age of 20. The year before, fireworks caused about 20,000 fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. All it takes is one stray firework to spark a wildfire or set your house or your neighbor’s house ablaze.
In 2017, Pennsylvania loosened its laws governing fireworks, allowing individuals to legally purchase such items as bottle rockets or roman candles. Sure, they are not supposed to be set off within 150 feet of a dwelling, not be set off by children or by someone who is drunk, but those regulations can be tough to enforce. Thankfully, in 2022, the commonwealth’s fireworks law was revised to allow municipalities to have more say in how fireworks are used. It restricts the use of fireworks between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m., except on July 2-4 and on New Year’s Eve. It also increases fines and other penalties.
Still, shooting off fireworks is an activity best left to professionals. There are plenty of places to see fireworks, and you can watch them with the reassurance that you, someone you love, or the house that you hold dear, will remain safe. You can also remain in the good graces of your neighbors, and that should be more important than a party on one night of the year.