For the past 6 weeks I have gone to bed not knowing when my peaceful sleep would be disrupted. Almost every night for 42 nights there has been a “pop, sizzle, or whistle” in my area from about 9:30 until around midnight - most often sporadically. The sound travels and it is always interesting to think about how far or near those explosive sounds can be.
Yearly I look forward to the fabulous displays of fireworks dotting the sky. They are beautiful and always cause excitement with oohs and aahs but enough is enough. It is becoming too much of a good thing. I’m sure the state passed the
law that fireworks could be sold legally to individual private consumers in our
state for the tax revenue but I truly wonder how that has worked monetarily (although I would say that I believe that every penny counts?) From the sounds I have heard in my small corner of Michigan by shear noise value the tax and
revenue must have been excellent but at what price?
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On the other side I understand that there was a 300% increase in injuries that were fireworks related. I wonder how many extra law enforcement runs and first responder calls happened related to these accidents. And then of course there were the emergency room visits which mean medical care (and costs).
Aside from the accidents those of us with small children have had disrupted sleep as the children either want to “see” or are uneasy. The four legged family members are restless as well. This we expect the week of July 4th but not from Memorial Day until now. Even as I write this I’m a little sleep deprived as yet again we had the whistles and pops last night.
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It was also my understanding that fireworks could be used until 11:00 pm. Many nights it was well passed 11:00 pm when the street fireworks were finally quiet.
One more thing to consider- as people are walking in the neighborhoods there are many pieces of fireworks remains- as one gentleman questioned out loud – could it be duds that would go off randomly?
Now for those of us who work- it is annoying to just fall asleep only to wake up because rockets go off. There have been many studies about disrupted sleep and functioning the next day. Open windows with fresh air have not been an option either.
So if you choose not to enjoy the beautiful fireworks that many communities share with their residents or want to “add” and do your own thing please consider- safety before, during and after. For me, I like the anticipation of the professionally done fireworks saved for the week of the Fourth of July.
If there truly is the 11:00pm “all quiet” please be a good citizen and follow the rules, consider others, and be responsible. So has it been worth it?
