Banning Fireworks?

 

Well, here goes another social media battle in my area.......should we ban personal fireworks?

For the last year, I've had to watch social media friends fight about mask wearing and whether to get the COVID 19 vaccine. 

Now people are fighting about fireworks.

We are in a loooong drought (weather forecasters say it's the worst drought in the last 1200 years.) Yikes!

Things are so dry that we have had record breaking fire seasons, year after year. Many of the states around us are also parched and have numerous fires burning, so we get their smoke along with our own forest fires.

And those of you who have read my posts before know that Son #2 ended up in ICU during one 4th of July weekend - all thanks to smoke from neighborhood fireworks. 

So, it's probably clear that I'm NOT a big fan of fireworks. 

 I'm just not a fan of breathing in all of that smoke containing heavy metals. And knowing that air quality often reaches toxic levels during the 4th of July weekend. 

Now, don't start thinking I'm not patriotic. I have my flag decorations up already, watch the local parades and tear up when they play the National Anthem. 

But, do we have to pollute our neighbors to celebrate being an American?

How else can we celebrate?

I wonder if the time has come to just watch city fireworks shows? Our local TV anchors and even our governor are practically begging people to skip neighborhood fireworks. They are asking people to watch the city fireworks show. 

I've also seen some pretty cool glow in the dark sticks that kids can connect to make bracelets, necklaces, etc. There are also countless glow in the dark toys that kids can have fun with. 

What about the trusty old beat up light sabers? What better time to have an epic Star Wars battle then at night with the light sabers glowing?

Am I just getting old and cranky? Probably.

Do I like being stuck in my house all weekend because the neighborhood fireworks are so bad? No.

Should I have to run all of my air purifiers on full blast all weekend to keep the smoke out of the house? Also no. 

What's the answer? Is there a way to compromise?

Thoughts?