Fireworks

[disneysteve]

Yes, there are risks involved. Aren't there risks to everything? Aren't there risks to climbing trees, riding bikes or even staying inside all the time playing video games?

Of course there are risks to other activities, but not of the same magnitude. What risk is there to playing video games? Maybe tendinitis of your thumb. Fall off your bike and you might break an arm or knock out a tooth (as I did many years ago).

Have an accident with fireworks and you may lose a few fingers or a whole hand or be blinded for life.

I don't think it is worth the risk.

That said, I am speaking from the perspective of a 43-year-old guy who grew up with some pretty powerful fireworks. M-80s, 1/4 sticks, 1/2 sticks and such that could do some pretty serious damage. If those things are no longer available and the stuff sold today is much weaker, the same dangers may no longer exist.

There is still a serious fire risk, though, Roman candles can bring down a house, destroy a car or start a forest fire if not properly used.

[simpleyme]

I am thinking I will not have to buy any fireworks this year,I am an "old fogie"(SP?)

but I hate standing around late at night while we use up the bag of fireworks and we clean up after ourselves and it is a mess to pick up after fireworks

usually I buy between 20-50 dollars worth, i try to buy them from mass merchandisers, not the fireworks stands , firework stands always seem to cost way more
I have to pick my DH and son up from the airport on the 4th so no one has been around to beg me to buy the fireworks;-)

[ActYourWage]

I am thinking I will not have to buy any fireworks this year,I am an "old fogie"(SP?)

but I hate standing around late at night while we use up the bag of fireworks and we clean up after ourselves and it is a mess to pick up after fireworks

usually I buy between 20-50 dollars worth, i try to buy them from mass merchandisers, not the fireworks stands , firework stands always seem to cost way more
I have to pick my DH and son up from the airport on the 4th so no one has been around to beg me to buy the fireworks;-)

Fireworks do leave a mess for the next day. My dad has owned a fireworks stand for probably 20 or so years and we never could understand how the tent firework stands sold their fireworks so high. My dad has repeat customers from the north that travel through the area each year on vacation that comment on how much of a deal he gives. You truly do get more 'bang for the buck' at my dad's stand. The best class C fireworks are the 500 gram cakes. They are a little more expensive but they are very pretty. I never understood why people bought the 'snake' fireworks. They hardly work at all. Oh don't think you can't make some good money for about 3 weeks of work running a fireworks stand. That is if you know what you're doing and how to buy.

[mom-from-missouri]

I have never spent a penny on them. But, DH will usually spend around $20 and get sparklers and a few of the parachute ones for the kids. We like to sit out front and watch the free one in town, which we can clearly see from our house 8 miles away.

[JimInOK]

LOL! Folks are always surprised when I say we don't go to see fireworks on July 4th. I've had this conversation all week when people asked what we were doing this weekend.

We go to Disney World every year. We usually catch fireworks one night while there. Sorry, but there is no professional display and certainly no amateur display anywhere near here that is as good as sitting in front of Cinderella's Castle watching Mickey head bursts light up the sky above you.

Yessir! Definitely agree with that! We live in a small town and generally go to Disney World in June. Our small town's display is pretty pathetic, and even more after we've seen Disney World's just a couple of weeks earlier! But it's a tradition and a great time with the community coming together to watch it. To me, the music is what makes Disney's presentations over the top. Of course, I feel that way about the music throughout the entire resort.

Have you seen the display Epcot sent up for the park's special 25th anniversary celebration during Illuminations? Ricky Brigante shot some amazing footage of it for his podcast (called "Inside the Magic" for those of you who aren't Disney fans).

[geojen]

I've never been the Disney, but when I was a teenager I went with my church group to a gathering in St. Louis over the 4th, and the fireworks display there was absolutely amazing. I had heard (I don't know if this is true or not) that it is the most spectacular display on the 4th in the country.

[stressedmama]

I live in the St. Louis area, and I will say St. Louis puts on a great firework display. Even some of the suburb areas around here put on some very nice firework displays. It seems everyone in this area loves fireworks whether it be the big displays or setting off all the little ones for weeks before and after the 4th.

[Angio333]

I love fireworks. However, I live in Ohio. It is one of those stupid states that allow you to buy/sell fireworks in the state, but it is illegal to set them off in Ohio.

[cschin4]

What risk is there to playing video games?

The risk that we so insulate our children of every "risk" that we keep them inside and that they grow up sedentary, develop heart disease, diabetes, obesity and so forth.
OK, please understand my point in conxtext. I am not bashing video games at all, my kids have multiple video gaming systems and play. My point however, is that there is "danger" in everything. And, that there are indeed risks in life and we ALL play and take on risks everyday just by getting into our cars. Yes, we try to shelter children, but we also can go overboard on that as well. As with everything there has to be a balance.
When my son is climbing the tree, I have to allow him to develop and express his physical nature. And, breaking your arm isn't the only thing that "could happen", I am sure you can find cases where kids broke their necks and died falling out of trees. Kids have been killed sledriding as well. Kids have died on carnival rides. Kids have died doing all manner of things.
We have to weigh the risks. We can take reasonable precautions in life or we can stay home and never do anything because of what "could happen".