Fireworks used to be the main event of summer. The one thing that you waited for all year round. But after enough years of noise, stress, and cringey social media videos, the sparkle has somehow faded. What used to feel magical now just seems like a loud, smoky headache that traumatizes your dog, wakes up the baby, and sets off half the car alarms in your neighborhood. If you’ve found yourself silently uttering the words, “Ugh, not again,” in recent years, you are not alone. Welcome to the club. Here are 15 reasons why fireworks just aren’t the same anymore.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock.
They Begin Far Too Early
It was once a one-night thing: you bought your fireworks on the 4th, you celebrated on the 4th, you put away your fireworks on the same day. But these days, it’s common for people to start setting them off as early as June 28th. And they still sneak up on you randomly through July 7th.
They Scare Pets Half to Death
The second fireworks start, dogs everywhere will start panting, shaking, or desperately hiding under the couch until it’s over. You end up spending the holiday soothing the animals every time someone sets off a random rocket. Pets have also been known to try and escape through screen doors in terror, just adding to the stress.
They’re a Nightmare for People with PTSD
For veterans, survivors of trauma, or people with anxiety disorders, the Fourth can be overwhelming, anxiety-inducing, and even triggering. Loud and unpredictable explosions have never been an enjoyable summer pastime for these people. When every street you drive down is filled with random fireworks shows, you can’t escape it.
They Keep Everyone Awake
We all know that guy. The one who lights the loudest firework at precisely midnight and wakes up everyone in the neighborhood. The baby starts screaming. The dog starts barking. Everyone’s grouchy and exhausted. Multiply that by three or four nights in a row, and it’s just exhausting.
They’re Not Even That Impressive Anymore
Look at all the technological advances we have: drones, lasers, 3D projections, etc. But fireworks just aren’t what they used to be. A few pops and sparkles in the sky are just not that impressive to the masses anymore, especially the fifth time you see an identical show that night.
They Cause a Ton of Pollution
Walk outside the next morning after a fireworks show, and the air smells burnt and the sky is a hazy grey. The metals and chemicals in fireworks release metal particles and toxic gases into the air and often leave behind a mess of litter and ash. Not so festive for people with asthma—or the environment.
The Risk of Fires Is Real
It only takes one misfire to spark a disaster. We’ve all heard the news stories about wildfires, house fires, or garages catching on fire because of a “cool idea”. Climate change and prolonged drought make this a real and heightened risk these days.
They’re Illegal in So Many Places
In most states and counties, fireworks are either heavily regulated or are outright illegal, yet people are still going to light them. This means 911 calls, disputes with neighbors, and potentially hefty fines. No one wants to be “that neighbor”, but every neighborhood has one.
No One Is Watching the Show
Half the audience has their phones up, trying to film the entire time. No one is clapping, just freezing for the perfect shot. It’s like the experience isn’t as important as the video.
Crowds and Traffic Are So Not Worth It
You have to get there hours early to get a halfway decent spot. Then you sit in a throng of people before waiting another hour in traffic to get home. For 15 minutes of fireworks? No thanks.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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