Fireworks: Celebratory or dangerous?

Fireworks: Celebratory or dangerous?

Have you ever heard a firework go off on the day of a big sports game or in someone’s backyard? You might have shrugged it off and not have given it a second thought. But there’s a second story behind the beautiful fireworks you see.

They are huge medical risks, can trigger PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), can hurt animals, and most of all, they are illegal. They are banned in Snohomish County, King County, Pierce County, and many other places in Washington state.

However, many people choose to ignore this. Fireworks aren’t necessarily bad; they are just misused and quite dangerous when they are. If everybody chooses to contribute, then we can make a difference in the city of Mill Creek.

First of all, fireworks pose a big medical risk. Imagine what could happen if a firework hits someone and they get injured. Unfortunately, this has happened before.

Approximately 14,700 people have suffered firework-related injuries per year. Teenagers and adults are most often affected by this due to reckless behavior with fireworks, but it could happen to anyone. Fireworks are most commonly set off on the day of a big sports game or the 4th of July, and the ones set off strategically and legally pose no risk.

The ones set off recklessly or illegally can pose a serious medical risk. By stopping setting off fireworks, you can help. This doesn’t mean stop seeing fireworks, because the legal and safe shows are always an option!

Additionally, plenty of people in Mill Creek have PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Fireworks can trigger PTSD. If you’ve ever been in a war and heard a firework go off, your first thought is that it’s a bomb. It can bring back unpleasant and traumatic memories that can cause intense flashbacks, severe startle responses, avoidance behaviors, and sudden panic.

Those with PTSD are much more affected by fireworks both mentally and physically than you would think. Help those with PTSD, stop setting off fireworks.

Furthermore, fireworks can hurt animals. Imagine if a firework flies up into the air and hits a bird or any other flying animal. It could harm it greatly.

The explosion could kill many animals. The loud sound might also affect animals. This is yet another reason to stop setting off fireworks. Additionally, fireworks are illegal for many reasons. Not just the reasons above, but also so many more.

There is a reason fireworks are illegal, but not all follow this rule. There isn’t much we can do about it except stop setting off fireworks ourselves.

Finally, fireworks can cause property damage. If a firework set your house on fire, this would be a big reason for concern. Imagine the hungry flames licking the wood floors, the doors, the ceilings, engulfing your house in fire.

Since this can happen regularly, fireworks should not be used unless in legal shows. We can spread the message to stop setting off fireworks to create a better community in the city of Mill Creek.

Fireworks pose huge medical risks, trigger PTSD, harm animals, are illegal, and cause property damage. However, the ones set off in stadiums or firework shows are often legal. It’s OK to celebrate a big win or the 4th of July with a legal show, but setting off fireworks illegally has many more downs than ups.

You can help us turn this community into a better place; stop setting off fireworks and spread the message.