Alternative ways to prevent fires
What better way to celebrate our independence than setting off multicolored explosions? This is the essence of July Fourth. I would argue that without the fireworks something would certainly be missing.
People who usually picked up their fireworks in states like South Carolina and Florida are now finding them increasingly difficult to buy. Thanks to bans being placed across the country prompted by severe droughts, people were forced to go out of their way to purchase fireworks in the states where they are still legal.
“I think this year sales are going to be better because people want what they can’t have,” said Michelle Saucedo, who runs a fireworks business in Texas. Saucedo’s statement pinpoints the same problem America saw with prohibition — banning something creates a black market, or in this case a red, white and blue one. If America really wants to play the role of Smokey Bear from now on, then I suggest regulation toward the safety of shooting fireworks rather than just banning them altogether.
As most of us know, July Fourth, fireworks and intoxication usually go hand in hand. Laws preventing the use of fireworks over the legal limit could deter people from making the typical mistakes. Also, providing more awareness of “safe areas” where fireworks should be shot off would be another useful measure that states could employ. I think regulations like these would help the country see a huge decline in fires and firework-related injuries on our nation’s birthday rather than outlawing them.
As Smokey once said, “Only you can prevent forest fires,” and I agree with his wisdom wholeheartedly. In this case, it’s the individuals who shoot the fireworks, not the other way around. If states really want to stop wildfires, promoting safety and awareness will work much better than creating bans.