Fireworks: ban on private use, only permit professional displays

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#3156498 6-Nov-2023 07:47

I'm not shocked that fireworks are expensive. When things go bad, they go very bad, as there are numerous events of a firework booth catching fire and killing locals.

Here's an extreme example. Note the very expensive bomb disposal truck had a titanium sphere, built to blow up high explosives.

Large explosion occurs as LAPD attempts to seize illegal fireworks

CBS News

A large explosion rocked a Los Angeles street as the LAPD bomb squad was confiscating a cache of illegal fireworks. At least nine people were receiving medical care following the explosion. CBS LA's Nicole Comstock reports from the scene.

sen8or

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#3156500 6-Nov-2023 08:06

If so many people were for a ban / against fireworks, surely the market for them would shrivel up and die? All the operators are commercial entities "for profit", no sales/demand, no profit, no more supply.

We haven't bought fireworks in years, since they banned sky rockets, double happies and tom thumbs, it just wasn't the same. I can still remember as a kid, my cousins placing thunderbolts under coke/beer cans and seeing them launch over power-lines. Had my share of burns or sore fingers from mis-timed throws of fireworks, but no long lasting mental scars requiring therapy, so incidents can't have been too traumatising.

kingdragonfly

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#3156502 6-Nov-2023 08:16

Note in the LA explosion they discuss "improvised explosives" which are in fact copied "M80"'s. It's a "salute". It's shown in video below

Mexico and south-East Asian countries are known for their lack of care handling fiewworks.

Alameda County Bomb Squad Seeks to Learn Lessons From LA Fireworks Disposal Blast

KPIX | CBS NEWS BAY AREA

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office will be coordinating with investigators in Los Angeles to fully understand what led to the fireworks-disposal explosion

johno1234

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#3156591 6-Nov-2023 09:49

kiwifidget:

I'm in England at the moment and fireworks have been a nightly entertainment in my brother's neighbourhood for the last 3 nights. I can't wait to see what happens tonight for the real thing.

It was a bit disconcerting to find a skyrocket carcass lying on the roof of our rental car this morning.

A few summers ago, back in NZ, our deck was set on fire by a wayward skyrocket when we were out. Luckily the neighbours spotted it and put it out.

I wouldn't object to banning residential use of fireworks that get airborne and can escape the confines of your property. The ones you put on a fence, or stand on the ground, and sparklers can all stay.

Back when we were living in the UK, 2000-2003, I was stunned at the availability of professional grade fireworks available to the general public. There were sky rockets the size of 1L coke bottles for sale.

rb99

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#3156649 6-Nov-2023 12:37

Can't ban everything (or everyone unfortunate). But how long before we get the same thing with official displays. Whakatane used to have a decent display, but it went a bit haywire once, and never heard from again...

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#3156650 6-Nov-2023 12:41

Although, if you want to ban useless things that make lots of noise, how about Harley-Davidsons ? Have to listen to the bloody things all year round as well!

Spellchecker suggested calling them Harley-Damsons (nice...)

EDIT: Hands up everyone who thought I was talking about D. Trump ...

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

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MikeAqua

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#3156707 6-Nov-2023 15:06

Smoking causes more harm and more fires and is still legal. Ban smoking then look at fireworks.

Mike

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#3156725 6-Nov-2023 16:07

As someone who love this time of year I now, as a dog owner support public displays only.

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Zigg

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#3156746 6-Nov-2023 17:16

Seems to be middle aged dudes clinging onto their youth! Especially those thinking 11pm is a really good time to start letting them off.

kiwifidget

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#3156771 6-Nov-2023 21:02

Last night was Guy Fawkes night in my brother's village.

The clocks changed a couple of weekends ago so its dark here by 5pm, and sunset starts about 4pm.

From about 5-8pm there were glorious fireworks exploding out of people's backyards making the most tremendous noise and brightening the night sky.

After 8pm there was not a bang to be heard. We all slept well.

The trouble with Nov 5 in NZ is that you have to stay up pretty late before it gets dark enough for fireworks to be splendid.

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MikeAqua

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#3156872 7-Nov-2023 10:37

Zigg:

Seems to be middle aged dudes clinging onto their youth! Especially those thinking 11pm is a really good time to start letting them off.

I once spent Guy Fawkes night in South Auckland. There were a lot of young people out and about enjoying fireworks. Mostly in empty carparks.

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kingdragonfly

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#3157029 7-Nov-2023 15:21

Speaking of South Auckland, there was a house fire from fireworks on Sunday.

Fire and Emergency said fireworks hit the upper deck of the Hillsborough Road, Mt Roskill property and the flames had spread through most of the building by the time they arrived about 11.30pm on Sunday,

There were three other fires the same night, two vehicles and commercial property.

I'd guess the home one fireworks was accidental, and perhaps a reveler(s) caused the others. Anyone's guess now.

sir1963

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#3157120 7-Nov-2023 20:18

MikeAqua:

Smoking causes more harm and more fires and is still legal. Ban smoking then look at fireworks.

Tax fireworks the same as tobacco, let that tax pay for fire brigades and for any private property damage.

kiwifidget

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#3157157 8-Nov-2023 05:18

Oh, and I think the other reason why UK fireworks wrap up by 8pm, it's blardy cold outside!

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PsychoSmiley

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#3157187 8-Nov-2023 09:05

If people could keep it civil and use them only the designated night, sure I'd be fine with it. I don't enjoy it but if that's the designated slot then I'm content for people to have their fun. However that's never the case and they keep on just being used whenever.

Coming from Darwin in Aus., Territory Day was similar except people were getting a hold of commercial grade stuff and letting it off whenever. Lets not even think about the excess of work for emergency services have to put out scrub fires constantly during this time. I know this isn't the case here since it's not the far north of Aus. but I still don't look forward to dumb arse masses messing around with them.

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