I am a senior citizen living in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and this issue is deeply personal to me. My beloved brother-in-law is a veteran, and every member of my family has cherished pets. Fireworks, often treated as harmless and joyful tools of celebration in our city, deeply distress all of us. The loud sounds and bright lights can result in a terrifying ordeal for people like my brother-in-law, who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition affecting up to 20% of veterans according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Fireworks can also trigger extreme stress and anxiety in seniors and pets, making what appears to be a joyous celebration a horrific event for some of us.

It's critical to recognize that we're not alone in this experience. Many other citizens within Parkersburg's city limits undergo similar traumatic experiences when these explosive devices light up our skies. With a lack of adequate legislation on the sale and use of fireworks, our beloved city of Parkersburg remains a place where the voices of the veteran, senior, and pet owner communities are unheard.

To bring about change, I am launching this petition to ban the sale and personal use of fireworks in our city. Your signature could save a veteran from a PTSD episode, a senior citizen from heightened anxiety, or a pet from unnecessary distress. Please, for the sake of our community’s well-being, sign this petition to prohibit the sale and personal use of fireworks in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Together, we can safeguard the mental peace of our community members. Sign and let your voice ring louder than any firework could.