The Fourth of July use to be a fun holiday. We got together to eat hot dogs, play frizbee in the park then watch one show that lasted a couple of hours AT MOST. We were home by 10 PM and had a good night’s sleep, ready to enjoy the next day. We celebrated the Independence of the United States without encroaching on other people’s peace of mind.
This year, I’ve had to suffer through 3 nights of endless fireworks, poppers, and God knows what else with enough noise polution to make me feel like I’m in the middle of a war zone. Every year, share the posts on Facebook and LinkedIn about how fireworks scare dogs, people with PTSD, and the wild life is traumatized. But it does no good. Yet, there is more danger to Fireworks than just an annual stress factor …
Fireworks cause extensive air pollution in a short amount of time, leaving metal particles, dangerous toxins, harmful chemicals and smoke in the air for hours and days. Some of the toxins never fully decompose or disintegrate, but rather hang around in the environment, poisoning all they come into contact with. Exposure to fine particles, like those found in smoke and haze, is linked to negative health implications, such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks and even heart attacks, according to the EPA. People at greatest risk for problems are those with heart or lung disease, older adults and children.
http://www.terrapass.com
When I post on NextDoor that I’d appreciate it if people would stop the illegal fireworks that cause me to jump out of bed in the middle of the night, I get responses like, “It’s just one weekend, get over it.” “It’s my right to celebrate, suck it up.”
Since when does someone else’s right to celebrate come at the cost of other people’s peace of mind? Since when does the celebration of our Independence come at the cost of our environment? Since when did the celebration go from one night to three nights? There has to be a compromise.
Unfortunately, there are not enough first responders to police all of the neighborhoods. Those who want to celebrate at the expense of others know they can get away with illegal activities. These are not bad people. They simply want to have a good time. But unfortunatley, thier good time enangers others, humans and animals, property, and themselves.
I wish I had an answer. When I abused privledges as a child, those privledges were taken away. I’d hate to take away 4th of July celebrations. But if people can’t act like adults and celebrate safely, legally, and without encroaching on the rights of others, maybe they need to have that privledge taken away.