Stop with the fireworks already! (Orlando, Spring Hill: to buy, high school, college)

[Luzette]

Originally Posted by floridagirl777

I would expect to hear noise like you described if I lived near an air force base, especially if that's where the military sets off explosives. I am sure most people who move near Eglin realize what it is like before they move there.

One of the reasons why I chose not to live near a military installment or an airport or a mine or any other loud place is because I value peace and quiet. My daughter also has moderate hearing loss and was told she needed to avoid loud noises to keep from losing her hearing completely, so this time of year is especially disconcerting for me as a mother.

There are several big differences between what your community experiences and what mine experiences, namely that the folks at Eglin are EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS and it is LEGAL for them do what they are doing.

In my neighborhood, KIDS and TEENS are setting off ILLEGAL explosives in the streets, just yards away from people's homes. Most of the time, their parents are not even with them when they are doing this stuff, so they are not being supervised either. I'm sorry, but I don't care if it's the 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Veteran's Day all wrapped up in one big holiday event … I will never condone, encourage, or otherwise get excited about unsupervised children setting off illegal explosives within range of my house. That's not patriotic at all. It's dangerous, discourteous, and let's not forget ILLEGAL.

I'm sorry for your daughter's hearing loss, but this was why I posted in this thread in the first place. She will have to be careful about loud noise for the rest of her life. I hope she doesn't have tinnitus, but that's a most common side effect from hearing loss. It's a shame most of society just laughs at the idea of hearing loss from loud noise. Many who laugh now will one day likely see their folly as they age. Sooner or later high explosive noise will catch up to a person and leave its mark with some level of hearing loss.

[rezfreak]

Originally Posted by user8

Maybe it's just that the places I've lived are generally (before now) well educated and higher class.

Yeah, i'm sure that's exactly why.

[Spring Hillian]

Fireworks have been with Americans since the nation’s very beginnings, and now more fireworks and ignited for the Fourth of July than for any other national celebration in the world.

"The day will be most memorable in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival…It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade…bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore".
That was written by John Adams on July 3, 1776 to his wife after the Continental Congress
had decided to proclaim the American colonies independent of England.

Fireworks are available in Florida year round. Not only from tents that set up before a holiday, but from brick and mortar stores that are there all year.

Fireworks have been around since the 7th or 8th century A.D and are used all over the world by people celebrating an event.

The earliest settlers to America brought their love of fireworks to this country. Firings of black powder were used to celebrate holidays. Pranksters in the colony of Rhode Island caused enough problems that in 1731 a ban was established on the mischievous use of fireworks. If this has been going on so long there must be something right about it.

If you don't like fireworks:

1. Close your windows, draw the blinds.
2. Put your dogs and cats in a room by themselves that is closed up tight so they won't hear the booms and bangs.
3. Install ear plugs on all family members.
4. Let the rest of the country enjoy the celebration.
5. Move to some other spot far away from civilization.

[Spring Hillian]

Why don't you check with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office then?

Originally Posted by floridagirl777

Ugh! Here we go again with the pre-4th fireworks. I can't wait to move. I REALLY hope we don't have people shooting off fireworks at all hours of the day and night in Safety Harbor. Every year for the past few years a whole bunch of punk kids shoot off fireworks about a week before and a week after July 4th. They don't care what time it is or how close they aim them to your house either. Is this something I can call the cops about?

[Spring Hillian]

"many states are now banning fireworks" Baloney. Only 5 states ban fireworks.

Originally Posted by planedition

One of the good things about much of the country being in severe drought (not Florida) is that many states are now banning fireworks. I guess it takes a severe climactic event like a drought to make people realize fireworks are a bad idea, drought or no drought.

Drought increases concern about fireworks, Lexington officials say | Fayette County | Kentucky.com

[Spring Hillian]

Most consumer fireworks are completely legal in Florida.

Everywhere I've ever been has fireworks going off days before the forth and usually after.

We even use fireworks to celebrate the New Year here.

Originally Posted by seain dublin

You're not a stick in the mud. I have only noticed in FL that they start a week before and a week after.

I don't mind on the 4th, but enough already. The other night I heard them after 11pm.

The thing is if you asked these morons why do we celebrate the 4th of July they couldn't tell you...LOL.

But I blame the state of FL, it's illegal, but yet there are firework tents everywhere.

[Spring Hillian]

Get ear protectors. There are many to choose from.

Originally Posted by Luzette

Well for some of us this is the worst time of year. Anyone with hearing problems making loud noise an issue lives a very cautious life right now. I've heard them going off in town for a week now, and it will go on for a week after the 4th too. This stuff is no joke when it comes to hearing, and these folks who will set them off virtually on top of another person's house without warning are causing severe damage. Just a point of view from a hearing impaired person.

[Spring Hillian]

You really need to do a reality check before posting.

Most fireworks is NOT BANNED. It is not a loophole in the law.

Florida allows fountains, sparklers, items that do not leave the ground or explode are permitted. I think those items are prettier than the
consumer sky rockets.

Originally Posted by planedition

Well, actually, to correct myself, most of it is ALREADY BANNED, so clearly it bothers many other than me.

It's just that a loophole in the law allows the sale of it, and cops don't enforce the ban.

[Spring Hillian]

Some prefer to believe it only happens in Florida.

Originally Posted by rezfreak

I understand it quite well... people whining because kids are lighting fireworks a week before the 4th of july. This is not a thing that's specific to tampa, this happens EVERYWHERE in the US that allows fireworks, that's just how it works.

[Spring Hillian]

Thanks for the great post. Hopefully this will show some people that there is life outside of their little worlds.

Originally Posted by rezfreak

Yes, really, it does.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/24925636-post16.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/24972536-post29.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/24982583-post8.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/24925197-post91.html

and this entire thread: Neighbors and illegal fireworks

Really, do you want me to continue? This is not specific to Tampa, this happens everywhere. I've been in several states for the 4th of july and pretty much everywhere (atleast in the midwest) lights off fireworks up to a week before the holiday.