The Bottom Line On 4th Of July Fireworks Is Respect [Block Talk]

ACROSS AMERICA — The bottom line on your neighbor’s fireworks shows: There’s a big difference between the festive 4th of July party with pretty sparklers and a few ah-worthy aerials and the constant thunder of artillery shells and mortars coming from who knows how many houses away.

Respect and walk that line, many readers said when we asked about backyard fireworks displays for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column.

This is what respect looks like, some readers said: You take your celebration down a notch if you know someone who suffers from PTSD lives in the neighborhood. The Veterans Administration says about 7 percent of military veterans have had PTSD at some point in their lifetime, which is slightly higher than 6 percent of the general population with the disorder. As many as 500,000 U.S. combat veterans over the last 13 years have been diagnosed with PTSD, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Steve, an Evergreen Park (Illinois) Patch reader who fought in Vietnam, wants his neighbors to know this: Loud fireworks can trigger PTSD, with symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, and extreme emotional and physical reactions to reminders of the trauma.

“The fireworks make me want to beat the crap out of whoever is lighting them off,” he said. “Too many drunks think it’s nifty to scare people and feel that it is their right to do so. Grow up, go to your local fireworks display, have a good time and respect your neighbors.”

The noise doesn’t just affect him. Every year around the 4th of July, Steve said, “my two dogs hide and shake for days.”

‘Unnecessary Selfishness’

Branford (Connecticut) Patch reader Charlene gets that. Her message to her neighbors: “You absolutely terrify my sweet dog, all for your unnecessary selfishness.” She said fireworks are a “totally unnecessary annoyance,” and thinks Connecticut policymakers should “ban them.”

Cathy, a Glendora (California) Patch reader, is on the same page with Steve and Charlene.

“I would like my neighbors to know that while it’s fun for them to ‘out-bang’ others in the area, there are people on the other side of the fence who suffer from PTSD, insomnia, heart problems, sensitive ears and have sensitive pets,” Cathy said.

She would like to see some kind of awareness campaign “to give surrounding neighborhoods insight on their actions and fees if caught.” Vendors in California, which has some of the strictest fireworks laws in the United States, should inform their customers of the law, and “hand out to all buyers to be sensitive to surrounding areas, trees and dry brush,” Cathy said.

Fireworks Laws Are ‘Dumb’

Elmhurst (Illinois) Patch reader Vinnie thinks if fireworks shows are disturbing to his neighbors’ family members and pets, they should circle the wagons around their loved ones and let the party continue outside.

“If an animal is afraid, they should be in a basement or quiet room,” he said. “If a veteran has past PTSD history, they should be comforted by family and try to enjoy spending time with family and friends to get their mind away from the noises.”

Vinnie thinks his neighbors’ fireworks displays are “amazing, and they should keep doing them,” and that laws are “dumb and don’t allow us Americans to celebrate our freedom!”

Tom, a Southampton (New York) Patch reader who apparently spends enough time in Pennsylvania to have the down-low on Pennsylvania fireworks codes, seems to be a law-and-order kind of guy.

“In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to set them off within 150 feet of a building or vehicle,” Tom said in answer to Patch’s question about what neighbors should know about their DIY displays.

“Is there anything you'd like to say about consumer fireworks laws where you live?” we asked.

“In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to set them off within 150 feet of a building or vehicle,” he answered.

Roger that.

‘No Problem, Enjoy!’

Bay Shore (New York) Patch reader Rob thinks his state’s fireworks laws are too strict. “Love them!” he said of neighborhood DIY fireworks shows.

“No problem, enjoy!” said Across America Patch reader Monica. “If I can see them, even better.”

Patch reader John would like to tell his neighbors how annoying their fireworks displays are.

“There are no laws — or at least nothing is ever done,” John said.

“I like when people shoot them off, but maybe stop at midnight,” said a person who goes by Lord Batman and reads several Illinois Patch news sites. Also, Lord Batman said, “Legalize them already, Illinois.”

Illinois fireworks laws are strict, allowing novelty fireworks with limited aerial range, but none of the big boom-boom fireworks.

That’s just fine with a Joliet Patch reader who thinks Illinois should ban all fireworks. To neighbors who might flout the law, the reader cautioned, “Don’t do it.”

‘That Finger’ Lost To M-80?

Right there with you, neighbor, or words to that effect, said Kate, another Joliet Patch reader.

“If it were up to me, all consumer fireworks would be outlawed,” she said. “They have no place in a neighborhood where people are trying to sleep, people are suffering from PTSD, and animals have panic attacks. A scheduled show in a public gathering place, sure. But fireworks have no place in a neighborhood.”

Still, Kate lives with the situation.

“I accept neighborhood fireworks on July 4th, but it’s the people who set them off randomly on other days that bother me,” she said. “People are trying to sleep, and you are setting off fireworks next door at 10 p.m. on a Tuesday. It’s just rude, and I wish people had more consideration for their neighbors.”

And then there was this burn from Patch reader Jody:

“Your booming fireworks that aren't even pretty annoy the (expletive) out of me. It's your legal right to set them off, but not until 3 o'clock in the fricking morning. You seem to have a lot of firepower over there. Maybe you just like blowing up things. I'd talk to you about it, but I don't think I would like you.”

In Jody’s state, the policy seems to be “shoot ’em off if you’ve got ’em, and if you don’t, head to any corner stand in town and buy ’em.”

“I’d give my lawmakers the middle finger for loosening fireworks laws if I still had it, but I blew it off with an M-80,” Jody said.

You’re kidding, right Jody?

About Block Talk

Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com, with Block Talk as the subject line.

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