Usually large celebrations involve dancing, food and drink and sometimes fireworks. While us humans enjoy the sounds and sights of these colourful explosions, animals feel very differently about it.
The explosion that happens when a firework is set off can cause animals to have heart problems, nausea, tremors, debilitating fears and lightheadedness. It can also lead to “acoustic stress” as most animals’ ears are much more sensitive than humans.
Animals are confused as to where the loud foreign noise is coming from making them start to run frantically away. Unfortunately this sometimes results in them being hit by a car or lost. Other animals may be too close to the explosion and receive burns or eye damage, or for the hens, they have a lower production in eggs.
The town of Collecchio in the province of Parma in Italy are doing something about it.The local government has introduced new legislation whereby people have to use silent fireworks as a way of respecting the animals and reducing the stress it causes them.
The company, Setti Fireworks makes these fireworks which include a spectacular light show but with no deafening sound to go with it. They design their fireworks to fit the venue and event that they will be used for.
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Howdy Neighbors!
Eileen Duke has reminded us for years about the problems fireworks cause. I am excited about the recent information she has provided on the subject and have posted it in the link below:
https://fsjna.org/2014/08/youll-do-more-than-shoot-your-eye-out-kid/
Eileen’s recent note should be a “call to action” for those who want everyone to celebrate our country or ring in the New Year. Deep seated traditions are fiercely defended in New Orleans and that is ok.
But, there is nothing that says we can’t begin a campaign to celebrate safely. CELEBRATE SAFELY could be the mantra of a neighborhood committee or a newly formed organization.
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra has played in City Park. What do you think about the LPO on the bayou? Imagine the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra playing the 1812 Overture while silent fireworks or laser lights (that rivel any you’ve ever seen at the best rock concert you’ve been to) dance in the sky to celebrate the 4th of July safely. The bell at Holy Rosary could be rung at the right time during the presentation. Sounds farfetched?
Dream it, think it, then make it happen.
Doubt there would be many folks shooting fireworks during a CELEBRATE SAFELY event like that.
Do you know the folks that run the Voodoo Experience? Would they be interested in helping get someone to do the light show? Do you know anyone that could bring the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra to the bayou? Are there other non-profits and neighborhood organizations that could be encouraged to join the CELEBRATE SAFELY campaign? Who wouldn’t want to be part of a fun, environmentally fun event with zero impact on the bayou and the participants?
How ’bout environmentally safe fireworks?
http://tinyurl.com/environmentally-safe-fireworks
How ’bout preventing blindness from fireworks?
http://www.preventblindness.org/celebrate-fourth-safely
How ’bout celebrating safely at your family gathering?
http://thecabin.net/news/local/2014-07-02/celebrate-safely-fourth#.U-YmYGMzKSo
Here’s some tips on celebrating safely from New Hampshire?
http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/firesafety/news/20120606-celebrate-safely.html
Here’s a Facebook page about the plastics in fireworks:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Environmentally-Friendly-Fireworks/152363834829149
There is so much more that CELEBRATE SAFELY could do to educate folks.
Are you interested? email info@fsjna.org
Sincerely,
https://fsjna.org | http://katrinafilm.com
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Letter below by Eileen Duke
If someone finds Chinese drywall in their home, they take steps to remove it. These are not people wearing tinfoil hats,
and I don’t think their lawyers are wearing them either, or the judges involved. Once Chinese drywall is removed from homes and businesses, there are special rules about disposal. It’s not even allowed in most dump sites. That’s because radioactive materials like radium and uranium can cause cancer, and the Chinese drywall appears to break down more easily than domestic drywall, sending small radioactive particles into the air in affected homes. This is what happens with fireworks. These are some of the ingredients used.
The utilization of “radiobarite” for pyrotechnic ingredients can cause atomospheric pollution with radium aerosols where fireworks are displayed, resulting in negative health effects upon inhalation of such aerosols. There is a growing interest in some places for greener fireworks: http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/4/3/034006/pdf/erl9_3_034006.pdf
My concern is that no one seems to know what is being used on the bayou and in our neighborhoods since it is all illegal. I’m guessing that the contents of legal public displays are readily available public information.
Most of our fireworks come from China. Every country has made its share of toxic products and can find a place in the toxic hall of shame. I regularly purchase things from China, but let’s be realistic in considering that China has less regulations regarding safety. And since most people are not aware about fireworks and get confused about effective ways to be patriotic, there are not many folks minding the store, so to speak. China has been very thrifty in making new uses of all sorts of leftover stuff to put in children’s toys, dog food, and fireworks instead of putting it into hazardous disposal sites. Some old news:
“The fiasco builds on U.S. fears of exposure to poisonous Chinese products, stoked by Thomas the Tank Engine toys tainted with lead paint, and the pet-slaying bags of dogfood that contained hazardous levels of melamine. Chinese government officials are investigating, and many U.S. homebuilders have stopped using Chinese drywall due to litigation fears. Of course, it’s too late for the tens of thousands of U.S. homemakers who bought dream houses, only to find themselves trapped in a toxic hell.” Toxic Chinese drywall turns U.S. homes into smelly cancer traps – DailyFinance
A type of chemical believed to be found in the Chinese drywall is strontium sulfide. This is used in fireworks to give it a bright red flame when burnt and is dangerous especially to children because it is known to affect bone growth.” http://enviornmentalhealth.wikispaces.com/Chinese+Drywall
It’s a shame that some people just don’t get it when it comes to fireworks — that they lack the creativity to come up with a new form of entertainment for the 4th of July and December 31, or to celebrate when the Saint’s score, etc. etc. Sad little minds in adult-sized bodies, harming children and pets, polluting our bayou, our streets, our food gardens because their lives are lacking in the spark department.
Instead of trying to saddle our police with anything further to act upon, why don’t we, as a neighborhood organization or just a bunch of concerned parents and other good neighbors, speak out and spread the word about fireworks. I think the police would be helped if they didn’t have to do their already extremely difficult work under the cover of chaos caused by fireworks. Don’t complain about the police, and then tie their hands behind their backs by not speaking out about this idiotic practice that invites chaos.
Consider what you, as an individual, can do in this department. I’m sure there are many ways to combat this problem. The time has come for something that is better for all concerned (people, environment, animals) than fireworks.
The time has come to stop this. I hope it rains all night in memory of Chewy.
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Fireworks are synonymous with our celebration of Independence Day. Yet, the thrill of fireworks can also bring pain. 200 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. Remember, fireworks can be dangerous, causing serious burn and eye injuries. You can help prevent fireworks-related injuries and deaths. How? By working with a national, state or local organization where you live to promote fireworks safety in your community.
Follow these safety tips when using fireworks:
· Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
· Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a
danger to consumers.
· Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about
2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
· Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
· Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
· Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
· Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
· Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
· Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
· After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
· Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
