Mixed Messages?

Same here too. Makes no sense. It's like you can buy all of the paraphernalia you need to cut, harvest and/or do the drugs at a head shop, but it is illegal to actually buy the drugs. Cracks me up!

We are still waiting to find out if they will cancel the public displays here. We are in a serious drought. The yards are yellow and crispy. One spark is all it will take.

Many counties here have canceled public displays, and banned the use of personal fireworks.

I'm really concerned about the idiots who let their kids use sparklers at the public displays (if they aren't canceled). With the 100 degree heat, we may stay home anyway.

I vote we postpone the 4th celebrations until Labor Day. I'd hate to cancel them for good. :(

Alot of firework stores in Wyoming and Colorado have been shut done due to the fire danger and all the unfortunate fires going on right now. I pray for the people who are in amongst these fires. We need RAIN and lots of it to help with fire suppression.
Also rain would be nice for our lawns. Our water bill is going to be through the roof this month.

I don't get that either, J.. God knows that people have to do business, but I don't understand it either.

We have so many dead trees from this weekend's storm laying all over the place, that I can only imagine what would happen if one landed in a pile of THAT.

Thanks for the reminder. I guess I'll be running my sprinkler and staying up late...

Dawn

They can't stop the fireworks from being sold as long as it's not illegal to sell them. Make them against the law... bam.

If your neighbors light off fireworks and are responsible about it, there shouldn't be any problems. If you think they're being irresponsible, then keep the police on redial and call them if your neighbors violate noise ordinances or they end up on your property.

EDIT: I posted before your SWH. Okay, so they're illegal where you live. Then you can call 911 if your neighbors light them.

EDIT AGAIN: They're legal in CT over the past several years after having been illegal for many, many, many years. We just can't get the professional grade ones. Anyway, even when it was illegal here I would never have called the police either unless it was a major safety risk such as drought conditions. I think that this year, you would be perfectly justified even if in past years you have been one to light off illegal fireworks. Actions in the past don't mean you can't make things right now. :-)

It's hot and dry here. Fireworks have been illegal in our county for many years, however not in the neighboring county..... I was just there a few days ago and the stands were every where.

I think it's really lame. The imaginary line does not stop parents from buying the fireworks and taking the risk to show their kids a good time. I'm sure some of my not so bright tenants will be dancing with the devil tomorrow night.

Well, it is very hot and dry in central Texas right now, also. For the most part, the areas around us have banned the selling of items with fins..... the items that would become airborne and possibly come down in a not so safe area.

Fireworks are banned in our city, and within 5000 feet of the city limits, so they are supposedly "banned" in my neighborhood (we are just outside city limits). I'm sure, however, that there will be bunches going off.

Most of the municipalities are having their own fireworks shows... some of the feeling is that if we have the big shows, where we can control what is happening, and have emergency personnel on standby, there is a better outcome.

Last summer was even worse... I think fireworks were totally banned, but I don't remember. Some munis cancelled their shows, also.

Being Texas, and typically being dry in the summer, most people are pretty cautious and do fireworks safely. Communities DO hate to lose out on the tax revenue they get from the sale of fireworks.

BTW... one of the biggest fires in Texas history (the Bastrop fire, last year) happened over the Labor Day weekend... and was traced to a branch touching a power line.... no fireworks involved. That was about 1 1/2 hours SE of us.

It is so hot here at the Jersey shore. I just got a public announcement message via telephone saying the firework show will go on. They are lighting the fireworks from a barge and can be seen on the beach and promenade. So nice. Other years they lit them on the beach and occasionally burning hot debris would fall on you. Not good! Home fireworks make me nervous.

We've had rain - so it's not so much a fire hazard here...there are still a lot of people without power.

Some of our towns are doing fireworks TONIGHT instead of tomorrow - so they can "enjoy the day" tomorrow. I'm sorry - but isn't the point of the 4th of July to celebrate on the 4th of July??!?!?! URGH!!

For Missouri? Yep!!! Mixed messages!!!

Can you imagine all the people with their heads on backward, getting POed because 'the goverment won't let me buy fireworks'? I'm guessing that's why they haven't been banned due to weather...

It's interesting; we haven't seen any fireworks stands here in Portland recently. It's been humid, and I haven't heard of any cancellations.

I'm in your camp on this one. Last summer was so hot and dry, I was prepared to sit out all night with the hose ready--just in case.

J., did you call and/or e-mail your local government about this? Did you complain and point out the hypocritical nature of this situation? It might not change anything for this year but if you and others raise this, it could change rules for future years. Think about getting active.

Regarding Cheryl O's post -- Maybe some areas here (DC and suburbs) said they were doing fireworks on the 3rd so folks could "enjoy the day" but what I have heard instead is that emergency managers in some jurisdictions are very concerned about safety after this recent major storm. With much of our region still without power, many 911 lines down or only functioning partially, and firefighters and other emergency personnel out working to clear roads, deal with downed power lines, etc. -- well, emergency managers are worried that if there is an emergency at some large celebration on the 4th, there may not be enough people, 911 lines and equipment for a safe and adequate response. One huge county has cancelled its fireworks in several locations for tomorrow because it says it cannot guarantee enough fire personnel on hand for every fireworks show as usual. In another county, the emergency manager wanted to cancel things as well, citing the same reasons (but got shot down). The reasons they gave were the ones above: Potential for a serious situation if there were accidents, etc. and emergency responders and 911 are still dealing with storm damage instead. That's what's behind much of the reluctance to "do" the 4th as much as in previous years. I'm sure some places have indeed said they want folks to enjoy the day, but for other areas, the real issue is safety.

There was a major fireworks accident in our town a few years back with very serious injuries in the crowd; I would hate to think of something like that happening and finding 911 not functioning or ambulances delayed by impassable roads (and many here are still impassable). Just something to think about.

Yeah, that is mixed messages. This is the first year that I remember that I have not seen a single firework stand. Fireworks personal and professional have been banned in most counties here in colorado except for a few cities. I think they are pretty serious about it this year. We always have some neighbors that light off some huge (illegal) professional type fireworks right on the street (dummies) and I am curious if they are going to try it this year!

It is rare for them to cancel professional ones here. They are almost ALL done over the water. Either shot off a pier over the river or the ocean, or shot from a barge in the water.

At the moment, we aren't nearly as dry as we were.... we got a lot of water from Beryl and Debby. The St. Mary's on the state lane between GA/FL is still flooding and people are still evacuated from it. 6 weeks ago was a different story, though. And last year (lots of fires burning), totally different story. But they still shot off fireworks over the ocean. And yes, they still had the stands up selling to the public. But they ARE limited in what they can sell at least.
Is it mixed messages? Probably. Generally though, I think if people are going to shoot off fireworks, they are going to do it, no matter. A lot of people will get them from across state lines if necessary, depending on where they live.

Around here, the public displays are usually so beautiful that nobody bothers too much with their "own"... maybe some sparklers or those dumb snake things that just leave black marks and ash on the driveway, lol.

That is strange. Here they have shut down the stands in the areas where it's too dry, just heard that on the news last night.

Several surrounding areas have cancelled too. Most fireworks are illegal here but people just drive to Indiana to get them.

Personally I will not take any chances and won't let my husband have his pyro fix. About 5 years ago, on New Years Eve just a few blocks from our home, people were letting the big illegal fireworks off and burnt 2 of their neighbors houses down. They lost everything. The winds were out of control & couldn't contain the fire for hours. No thank you.

my Mom attended many emergency prep conventions during her tenure as Mayor of her little village. Her recommendation was to hose down our roof prior to the evening, & to have hoses hooked up on both the front/back of our home. Great ideas....

& I'm hoping our neighbors comply with the ban. We live in a small subdivision, surrounded by farm fields on the outskirts of our little town.

I've already heard the comment, "good luck stopping my family". :(

Yes very mixed and selfish on their part! We are ok here is Sacramento area, there are quite a few professional firework shows tomorrow. I just mentioned to my husband that it seems there are more stands this year than usual I mean at every corner! We ourselves will buy a smallbox and light them off in the front area, I have specified to all coming over that in NO terms will illegal fireworks be allowed. We fo have a dry field behind us, I do hope everyone in our area respects that or I will doing some police calling myself! WISH you a SAFE holiday!

Here it is illegal to force people to not light fireworks around the 4th. Even under a burn ban. I just read this on my county's web page. Dumb.