Introduction

 

This past December, firework use was at an all time high despite attempts by several municipalities to tighten the by-laws surrounding their use and drive fines for non-compliance.

While some were out with friends and family, able to enjoy a proper send-off for the year behind them, many of us were not given that opportunity. Instead, we stayed home, as we do on a variety of other firework-heavy holidays, to take care of our pets, the elderly, and those who experience severe traumatic stress from the explosions. Caring for these loved ones is often a full-time job despite the opportunities of preparation and medication.

Even with tighter by-laws and higher fines, it’s no secret that the JMPD never has, and never will police those laws and so they are an empty veil at best. Many calls to JMPD this past NYE were met with blaring music, ignorance of the by-laws, and overt refusal to act. This let-down by the system makes it clear that no middle-ground solution is viable in South Africa when it comes to the responsible use of fireworks. Naturally that brings us to the step of an out-right ban for all

 

The harms of fireworks

Fireworks present several different harms in a variety of contexts. The put both the user and the world around them at risk with each ignition. Fireworks often lead to traumatic injury of humans, pets and wildlife. They cause fires which can damage property, livelihoods, and the environment. They cause litter, induce hearing loss, and trigger acute traumatic stress in people and animals during their use as well as long-lasting PTSD which can last the remainder of that individuals lifetime. Fireworks are responsible for the deaths of pets and people, and the rapid reduction of many wildlife populations including birds and bees.

 

There is a widespread myth that states that fireworks are equal to that of thunder. This is simply not true. All fireworks vary in decibels of noise and violence of explosion depending on how they were created. While some may indeed be equal to or lesser than the noise present in thunder, the majority of fireworks are much more severe. Even in the case of those fireworks which may create noise equal to or less than thunder, that does not erase the various other dangers that are still very present. As we saw above, noise is only one harm of many when it comes to the use of fireworks.

 

The Way Forward

 

The ban of fireworks does not have to be the end of celebration. It is not a call to silence cultures, or dampen human joy in any context. It is just a call for us an a nation to move forward with empathy for those around us and return to our roots of inclusion, diversity, and togetherness.

Many cultures around the world such as China (the inventors of the firework) and the Netherlands among others, have taken a step away from the archaic and violent technology of fireworks and begun embracing alternative forms of celebration such as laser-shows, and drone presentations to spectacular effect. This also allowed alternative light industries to expand while squashing the loss of internal revenue to the illegal import of fireworks. In this way, the ban of fireworks could have the extra effect of creating jobs and strengthening our infrastructure.

Conclusion

 

This petition asks the relevant representatives in South African government to 

• ban the sale, import, and use of fireworks with immediate effect
• increase resources and training to JMPD to encourage more active policing of this ban on all fronts
• encourage citizens to move towards alternative light celebrations
• and lead by example in all future public events by supporting and showcasing alternative light celebration businesses and possibilities.

 

p.s. Don’t “chip in” to this petition financially. That money goes to change dot org and not the organisers of this movement.

If you would like to help further, share this petition far and wide. Call in to radio stations to get the conversation going and contact your local ward councillors to ask them to support the ban of fireworks