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By KEITH MORELLI
The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA - Come Independence Day, you can be pretty sure that the red glaring rockets flying over your neighborhood, set off by your pyrotechnically challenged neighbor, aren’t just to scare away birds.
Nor are they part of a phosphate mining operation that just opened up down the street.
Because, legally, they can be sold and ignited only for those purposes. So, to make it right with the state, the buyer must sign a piece of paper at the fireworks stand swearing that the resultant explosions are for those expressed endeavors.
The neighborhood fireworks phenomenon has grown in recent years, as has the growth of fireworks tents along busy intersections in the weeks before firecracker-happy holidays like the Fourth of July or New Year’s Day.
The trend has taken fireworks - real ones - out of the hands of professionals and put them into the hands of novices. If all goes well, neighbors can watch the show without having to leave their back porches. If all doesn’t go well, they can watch the flashing lights of ambulances.
There are dangers and rewards, but local authorities stress caution about buying pyrotechnics and shooting them off. Hillsborough Fire Rescue inspectors are out this week, checking on vendors to make sure everything is legal.
“We’re not worried about the typical vendors,’’ said fire rescue spokesman Ray Yeakley. “But we are worried about the mom-and-pop sites that are set up only for the holidays, to make sure they are not selling things they are not supposed to be selling.’’
State law is strict about what fireworks can be sold and that includes everything that doesn’t explode or shoot into the air, Yeakley said. That leaves sparklers and smoke bombs and just about nothing else.
For bottle rockets, Roman candles and the rest of what people really want to be legal, the buyer has to sign an affidavit saying the fireworks being bought to scare birds off or for mining.
Once that obligation is fulfilled, buyers can fill their carts with all sorts of explosive stuff.
Yeakley pointed to some surrounding counties which have closed the loopholes of the state law, making the purchase of fireworks more restrictive. Hillsborough County hasn’t taken that step, Yeakley said.
That means “people from those counties come over here, buy fireworks and take them back home,’’ he said.
Those fireworks, if not handled properly, can cause injuries and even death, he said.
“About 7,000 people a year are injured by fireworks across the country and several hundred are killed,’’ he said.
Statistics on local injuries were unavailable this week, he said.
Still that didn’t appear to be a deterrent for fireworks buyers.
“Probably in this area, there are as many as 200 to 300 additional tents set up, just for the holiday,’’ he said.
I don’t think being a free American gives you the birthright to bear fireworks. I do not have a problem with someone who sets them off, ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, at an appropriate time. HOWEVER, most people will set them off over the weekend prior, and for a few nights after until all their supplies are gone, and well into the late hours. Is being American synonymous with being inconsiderate? And also, I don’t know about you all, but for a home fireworks show, doesn’t the thrill wear off after about 15 minutes? I worry about people who can light them off for an hour or more without getting bored. It is interesting to note that some of you are advocates of breaking this law in the name of American freedom, but would jump on someone else for choosing which laws they decided to follow, even if, as you say, in their eyes it doesn’t hurt anybody.
You know, I just can’t believe that there would be a law against fireworks. Isn’t this holiday supposed to represent our Freedom? Instead we have to lie to purchase the fireworks just so we can celebrate this National Holiday? Just because there are idiots out there that don’t know how to use fireworks properly, does not mean that the rest of the county should be punished. 7,000 people injured every year is minimal compared to those who are injured in motorcycle accidents because they dont wear helmets. Tell me if that makes a lot of sense? We don’t have a law requiring the use of motorcycle helmets, but there is a law against the purchase of fireworks for recreational use? That is just plain stupid.
I crindge this time of year because in my deed restricted neighborhood people are setting off fireworks time 12 am or 1am. It keeps me and my toddler awake and I too have to pick up the leftover junk in my yard and on my roof. Last year I took pictures of peoples trash showing the fireworks trash. I will do it again this year and submit the pictures to the association. It is against the restrictions to set off ANY fireworks at all for any reason. Two years ago my car was covered in ashes from my neighbor across the street. Luckly it didn’t burn the paint. I should’ve made him wash my car. This year I’ll be taking pictures again. Look out Copper Ridge!!!
How can we have a law on the books allowing the sale of fireworks but not lighting them off? Oh yeah, at the fireworks stand I can fill my cart with grenades and rocket launchers and wink as I sign my form promising to only scare little birds with said arsenal. What a crock of dog squeeze! I am kept awake until midnight, my cats go crazy, I have to clean up all the sticks that fall in my yard and there is the remote possibility that something could fall on my roof and catch it on fire. All so some dumb retard can blast off his arsenal to feel like an American. This individual is the OPPOSITE of a true American. He/she is breaking the law, littering the neighborhood and has no regard for others in their pursuit of happiness. I’m not against fireworks but, as long as there is a law against it, a real American should abide by it and not cause mayhem and chaos in a subdivision full of many others who respect the law!
Maybe they have laws banning stupid people.Then that should take care of the problem.
I guess for Mel and George 7000 injuries and several hundred deaths are just incidental and to be expected in the name of lightening up!
You just need to be responsible, have fun and don’t stupid. A few idiots always ruin it for those that are responsible.
I hope my customers are responsible and handle the fireworks carefully when they buy at Family Bowl in Plant City.
I get a lot of business from Polk County and would hate for anyone to get hurt.
Good answer Mel from Tampa, good answer!!!
I think that sums it up.
Well isn’t it just like the law to ruin everyone’s good time. We are supposed to be celebrating our independence and that is what exactly?
Lighten up world..That is like telling a crack head (we can sell you this glass pipe, but is only for tabacco use). Try and have some fun becuase the world has enough to worry about, don’t you think.
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Posted by chris post, tampa on 06/28 at 09:47 PM
Hey Yvette,Your such a party pooper.Get a life.