Yes fireworks should be banned from the public and restricted to licensed organised displays only at fixed times.Fireworks are not private nor personal, as the noise and debris travels for miles, causing fear, danger and suffering to people, animals and property for miles around. The noise levels of all fireworks should be restricted to a maximum of 85db, as 85db and above can damage human hearing. So why are fireworks allowed to be 120db for garden fireworks and 130db plus for display fireworks.As for fireworks being danagerous explosives, they are, some of the fireworks contain as much as 70g of flash powder, compeared to an army thunder flash which only have 4 to 12g of flash powder and it is not legal to sell these to the public, so why do we selling fireworks to every one regardless if they know or care how or where they use them. If the government continue to allow fireworks all year round, we are going to have incresed risk in fireworks causing fires, especially during the summer dry season, and what if you live in a thatched property, are you just surpossed to hope and pray that someone eles fireworks do not cost you your home or worse your life. I am not the only one who feels that the only way to stop all the misuse and abuse of fireworks is to restricting fireworks to licensed displays only, on the 8th July 2003 at 10 Downing Street I handed in my first firework petition containing 92,835 signatures. I have now started a new firework petition, because the Government are not doing enough to stop this dreaded extended fireworks season, which starts at the end of September and goes on till January, nor are they doing enough to protect us, our animals and our property. Anyone how would like details about this petition or would like to add their name please write to Teresa Kulkarni 1 Methuen Avenue, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4BN or download petition forms from web site www.fireworkspetition.co.uk

One upon a time in a land far away, anyone could go to the local store and buy all types of fireworks legally - rockets, (big) firecrackers/bangers. Young children would purchase these and store them under their beds waiting for cracker night. As time went by, there was more and more public outcry about the dangers of fireworks and the annual injury toll. Some vote seeking politicians said they would ban the public sale and use of fireworks should they be elected. In their wisdom they blanket banned all fireworks, except for sparklers and model rockets (read skyrockets without sticks, launched electrically from any park you like)because "fireworks" are dangerous. They never stopped to think that perhaps the regulations might have just needed some adjustment. Do we ban all motorcars from use on the roads, or just the ones with excessively high performance? Do we ban rollerskates because loads more people are injured by rollerskates than fireworks? Do we ban all drugs and stimulants that make us feel good or just the ones that are a danger to society? Alcohol? Why haven't we banned cigarettes yet? Injury statistics from around the world will tell you that most fireworks injuries are caused by 1. Sparklers, 2. Sky Rockets, 3. Firecrackers. Everywhere fireworks are illegal there is a thriving black market, selling all types of dangerous fireworks to people that often do not know how to use them safely. Interestingly, a considerable number of politicians are amongst those that purchase and use on the black market. In todays built up society, small fountains, wheels and novelty fireworks that do not make a loud noise should be freely available to responsible adults for backyard use. Further, larger shopgoods fireworks such as Roman Candles, Multi Shot Devices, Shell Kits, Helicopters etc should be available to responsible adults on a permit (abuse and lose), for use in a safe non built up area, outside the fire ban season. In our super over regulated society it would be good to see some brave politicians work to pass regulations to make peoples lives a little more festive, instead of imposing more bans, more fines and more restrictions on peoples freedoms. Killjoys spruiking the "Ban all fireworks from public use" line, haven't really done their research very well with regards to what happens next. Get the regulations and permitted types right!

In reply to the Post by: Teresa Kulkarni at March 20, 2004 16:11, where she stated: "the noise and debris travels for miles, causing fear, danger and suffering to people, animals and property for miles around." I reply, what a very broad, wild, unsubstantiated statement. Seems like a statement made out of complete ignorance of the facts by someone who doesn't like fireworks. Is the general public not yet fed up with radically minded individuals whose statements are based on complete untruths and assumptions? I say let's inject a little more enjoyment into life (legal fireworks under the right regulatory framework). Down with the killjoys and do-gooders!

Dear John I and all the people who are backing this petition are not killjoys, spoil sports nor are we trying to turn the country in to a nanny state, we are not against fireworks, but enough is enough. We need to stop being so selfish, putting some people's pleasure before the real fear, danger and suffering that fireworks are causing, to so many people and animals all over the country. I have spoken to so many people while running this petition. Parents who have suffered sleepless nights, trying to comfort their terrified babies and young children. People who start work early in the morning, having their sleep disturbed. Elderly people who are to frightened to leave their homes through fear of having fireworks thrown at them, a lot of people are so frighten of having fireworks put through their letter boxes, that they tape up their boxes at nigh time and even put a bowl of water under their letter box just incase People who have had their lives endangered and property damaged by other peoples fireworks, which have gone astray. People who live in thatched properties, who are in danger of losing their homes and even their lives, to someone else fireworks. Farmers who have had their livestock, injury them selves or have died, chickens that have gone of lay. This is costing them vet bills, and loss of earning, all of which they can not afford. People with disability who rely on their dogs to be their eyes, ears and hands, who have become house bound, or have to rely on other people, because their dogs have become frightened and nervous. A lot of these poor dogs have to be retrained or even retired. These people lose their trusted friends and their independents. People who have had fireworks thrown at them, while walking or driving, leaving them shaking and unable to move or drive for sometime. People who have seen their beloved animals turned into nervous wrecks, to frighten to even leave the house. Others have seen their animals die, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, dogs and horses, just from the fear and stress that fireworks cause. People, whose animals have been injured or killed while trying to flee from these terrifying noises, incurring heart ache and vet bills, which they could well do without and can ill afford. People whose children suffer from willams syndrome, this causes very sensitive hearing. So this so called firework season is a real nightmare for them and their parents. People who look after the elderly, trying to comfort and reassure them that world war three has not started. One lady wrote to me saying, " the look of fear in their eyes is saddling " The Fire brigade being called out to deal with what are thought to be explosions, only to find out that it was fireworks. The Cost Guards responding to distress flares, only to discover that it was fireworks. I could go on and on with the reasons why fireworks should be restricted to licensed displays only. We all know that fireworks are not private, nor personal, as they disturb and frighten people and animals for miles around. Fireworks serve no other purpose than to entertain. So how can we really justify so much suffering, in the name of so called entertainment? The benefits of having licensed organised displays, would be to know when and where fireworks would be let off, we would have control of the times these displays could start and finish and the noise level of the fireworks. This would also make it harder for the people who misuse and abuse fireworks to obtain them. Yes I do realise that some people will still buy fireworks illegally. But I also known that it would be a lot easier to police, if there were a complete ban on fireworks being sold to the public. As for banning fireworks from the public starting a blackmarket in fireworks, we already how one. As for saying that my statements are based on ignorance, untruths and assumptions, you are wrong, I have spoken to people all over this country who have suffered because of other peoples fireworks. Fireworks going through windows and roofs, landing in gardens and ponds killing all their fish, people who have collected buckets full of firework debris out of their gardens and fields. One lady and her husband were in their stables with their horses when a large rocket lodged in their new stable roof. Another lady wrote to me telling of her so called Nov 5th, fireworks have been going off for weeks, on Nov 4th her dog were going crazy and some of her horse where so firghten they had got tangle up in the electic fencing. On Nov 5th her partners 5 year old dog died because of the fear and stress caused by the fireworks. Her neighbours little dog was so terrified he escaped and was killed on the dual caridgeway. Her friend had fireworks landing in her dog kennels, which frighten her dogs and cause them to fight she got bitten trying to separate them, when she went to have a word with the people who were letting off the fireworks on land that did not belong to them and in the pouring rain, they were all very drunk and abusive, a little later on they came round to the front of her house and threatened to vandalise her car, when she said that she would report them to the police, they told her that there was no point as there were two police officers in their group, they were not children and were all old enough to legally buy fireworks. So am I ignorant of the facts our all my statements based on untruths, are all the people I have spoken to lying? Some how I don't think so do you? Maybe we should take a little time to think about the people who have to risk their lives making our explosive toys, only this year two firework factories in China blew up killing and injuring a lot of people. All in the name of entertainment. Teresa Kulkarni

Teresa, I have added my reply (in brackets)to each of your paragraphs below: I and all the people who are backing this petition are not killjoys, spoil sports nor are we trying to turn the country in to a nanny state, we are not against fireworks, but enough is enough. We need to stop being so selfish, putting some people's pleasure before the real fear, danger and suffering that fireworks are causing, to so many people and animals all over the country. I have spoken to so many people while running this petition. (I think you are putting your real fear before everyone elses pleasure - see later replies) Parents who have suffered sleepless nights, trying to comfort their terrified babies and young children. (refer my notes on types of fireworks that should be permitted in built up areas) People who start work early in the morning, having their sleep disturbed. (as above) Elderly people who are to frightened to leave their homes through fear of having fireworks thrown at them, a lot of people are so frighten of having fireworks put through their letter boxes, that they tape up their boxes at nigh time and even put a bowl of water under their letter box just incase (as above) People who have had their lives endangered and property damaged by other peoples fireworks, which have gone astray. (As above) People who live in thatched properties, who are in danger of losing their homes and even their lives, to someone else fireworks. (as above) Farmers who have had their livestock, injury them selves or have died, chickens that have gone of lay. This is costing them vet bills, and loss of earning, all of which they can not afford. (I would like to see the **facts/statistics**. You need to be able to substantiate these claims) People with disability who rely on their dogs to be their eyes, ears and hands, who have become house bound, or have to rely on other people, because their dogs have become frightened and nervous. A lot of these poor dogs have to be retrained or even retired. These people lose their trusted friends and their independents. (Again, let's see the ratified statistics) People who have had fireworks thrown at them, while walking or driving, leaving them shaking and unable to move or drive for sometime. (Proper regulations in relation to type of fireworks available will reduce this type of behaviour) People who have seen their beloved animals turned into nervous wrecks, to frighten to even leave the house. Others have seen their animals die, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, dogs and horses, just from the fear and stress that fireworks cause. (statistics please) People, whose animals have been injured or killed while trying to flee from these terrifying noises, incurring heart ache and vet bills, which they could well do without and can ill afford. (as above) People whose children suffer from willams syndrome, this causes very sensitive hearing. So this so called firework season is a real nightmare for them and their parents. (refer to notes on regulations regardinfg types of fireworks to be made available in built up areas) People who look after the elderly, trying to comfort and reassure them that world war three has not started. One lady wrote to me saying, " the look of fear in their eyes is saddling " (Elderly people grew up in an age that had more respect and that also very much enjoyed using fireworks. They must remember they were happily using fireworks as a young person when others were elderly. Also, refer note on types of fireworks to be used in bulit up areas. Let's be honest, elderly people are mainly scared of drug crazed maniacs breaking into their house and bashing them or stealing their belongings) The Fire brigade being called out to deal with what are thought to be explosions, only to find out that it was fireworks. (statistics please) The Cost Guards responding to distress flares, only to discover that it was fireworks. (Stats please) I could go on and on with the reasons why fireworks should be restricted to licensed displays only. (Your reasons, but no hard evidence supporting the claim). We all know that fireworks are not private, nor personal, as they disturb and frighten people and animals for miles around. (your opinion) Fireworks serve no other purpose than to entertain. So how can we really justify so much suffering, in the name of so called entertainment? ("No other purpose but to entertain." - Todays society needs more wholesome family outdoor entertainment. Why don't you concentrate your banning efforts on violent videos and video games) The benefits of having licensed organised displays, would be to know when and where fireworks would be let off, (That makes sense) we would have control of the times these displays could start and finish and the noise level of the fireworks. This would also make it harder for the people who misuse and abuse fireworks to obtain them. (Having a licensed fireworks display does not in any way control the fireworks black market) Yes I do realise that some people will still buy fireworks illegally. But I also known that it would be a lot easier to police, if there were a complete ban on fireworks being sold to the public. (See below) As for banning fireworks from the public starting a blackmarket in fireworks, we already how one. (That's right and the year the British govt banned "bangers" injuries from this type of firework increased dramatically - have a look at the stats - available on the web. IF people want them they will get them) As for saying that my statements are based on ignorance, untruths and assumptions, you are wrong, (no, I'm not) I have spoken to people all over this country who have suffered because of other peoples fireworks. Fireworks going through windows and roofs, landing in gardens and ponds killing all their fish, people who have collected buckets full of firework debris out of their gardens and fields. (Again, refer types of fireowrks suitable for use in bulit up areas) One lady and her husband were in their stables with their horses when a large rocket lodged in their new stable roof. (As above - correct regulations required) Another lady wrote to me telling of her so called Nov 5th, fireworks have been going off for weeks, on Nov 4th her dog were going crazy and some of her horse where so firghten they had got tangle up in the electic fencing. On Nov 5th her partners 5 year old dog died because of the fear and stress caused by the fireworks. (As above) Her neighbours little dog was so terrified he escaped and was killed on the dual caridgeway. (The owner is responsible to make the property escape proof for the dog and refer types of fireworks suitable for built up areas) Her friend had fireworks landing in her dog kennels, which frighten her dogs and cause them to fight she got bitten trying to separate them, (Does she know how to handle dogs properly? Was she using fireworks at the time?) when she went to have a word with the people who were letting off the fireworks on land that did not belong to them and in the pouring rain, they were all very drunk and abusive, a little later on they came round to the front of her house and threatened to vandalise her car, when she said that she would report them to the police, they told her that there was no point as there were two police officers in their group, they were not children and were all old enough to legally buy fireworks. (They should be arrested for disorderly conduct by the drunken police officers present at the time) So am I ignorant of the facts our all my statements based on untruths, are all the people I have spoken to lying? Some how I don't think so do you? (Yes I think you are very ignorant of the facts - the facts as they relate to the types of fireworks used- and I suggest that you are putting a little bit of spin on some of your anecdotes). Maybe we should take a little time to think about the people who have to risk their lives making our explosive toys, only this year two firework factories in China blew up killing and injuring a lot of people. All in the name of entertainment. (I agree that Governments need to make sure that all industries, including the fireworks industry, operate as safely as possible. Fireworks do not cause anywhere near the amount of injuries or damage than many different types of commonly used and appreciated contivances of the modern world. Injury stats by type available on the web. Fireworks bring immense joy to children and families when used appropriately. Well thought out regulations based on real facts are what is required) Again, do some proper objective research before you make these spurious claims that might lead to unnecessary restriction of the freedom of the well behaved masses.

Teresa and John - I appreciate you both have your views on this issue, however this is not the appropriate forum. If you wish to continue this in discussion private I can provide each of you corresponding email addresses.

I believe that fireworks should not be banned as this is unfair on children and adults who like going to see them. Some people cannot see them and if they are banned nobody will be able to see them. Think of children of the future what if they want to see them but cannot please dont ban them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the only people that can buy them are people who are over 21 as then they cannot be stupid with them

How much noise does a barking dog make? More than 85dB I think, sorry(for the clarification of John), I KNOW. I won't be kept awake tonight by fireworks, as I very much doubt I will hear any. I will however almost certainly be kept up the constant noise of 1-3 barking canines from around my estate. I will support a ban on fireworks when you support a ban on dogs. ps, to illustrate what little knowledge of the decibel scale certain individuals have, I can shout louder than 100dB, a chap in the states can click his fingers at 108dB, and dogs are louder still. If you ask for proof get a tester, as that is how I have drawn my conclusions, not on any killjoy fear-mongering bandwagons.

Yeah let's stop each other from doing everything. soon we'll all be sitting in the house doing nothing. And that doesn't mean just us who love and use fireworks but EVERYONE!!!!!!! Keep it up! at the rate that we're going WE "EVERYONE" won't have any freedom or free will left SOON. "YOUR BARBEQUE STINKS TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I believe that fireworks should be only sold to licensed operators. Don't like not being able to buy fireworks? Go and earn a license. I'm closing comments on this post. I think there will always be two sides to the story. I believe both have had their say here.