To the Editor,
Happy New Year. Mine would have been a tad quieter and more pleasant had there not been two hours of fireworks going on in Area A of the regional district.
Fireworks are not a harmless fun-filled family event. They cause many pets to quiver in terror, bolt from their homes and subsequently get lost or killed. People with PTSD don’t do well with fireworks, especially if it is unscheduled and unadvertised. Those with migraines don’t do any better. Many small children are frightened of the noise and woken from sleep, never mind all the adults whose sleep is disrupted, many of them shift workers.
Fireworks don’t do much for the well-being of wildlife nor fire prevention.
It is suggested the regional district directors revisit the fireworks exemption and institute some regulations. It is suggested it be restricted to ‘hallmark events’ such as New Year’s Eve. No one needs to play with it for more than 15 minutes prior to midnight and 15 minutes after. If one has that much money to ‘burn,’ try donating it to the food bank or your favourite charity. Halloween, well let’s keep it from 7-8 p.m.
It may have been a rural tradition to play with fireworks at any time of the year, but times have changed. Might I suggest the district directors have a look at restricting fireworks so that everyone can have a little peace and quiet and keep pets and humans safe.
E.A. FosterNanaimo