Unpopular Opinion: Regular People Shouldn’t Be Setting Off Fireworks in Michigan

Just like the title says... I know it might be an unpopular opinion, but I don't think regular people should be lighting off fireworks.

I'm not sure how blowing things up became synonymous with celebrating or marking occasions in America, but I'm not a fan.

Unpopular Opinions About Fireworks

I'm not a fan of fireworks. Well, let me clarify... I'm not a fan of your average Joe Schmoe lighting off the $328 worth of fireworks he bought at a pop-up stand in the Meijer parking lot.

But, since the Fourth of July is right around the corner, I'm sure that exact situation will happen all over Michigan at one point or another. How about instead, we leave it to the professionals?

READ ALSO: When You Can Legally Set Off Fireworks in Michigan

That's all I'm saying here. Why don't we leave it to entities like cities, municipalities, ball parks, and the like.

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Take the Lansing Lugnuts, for example. Many nights throughout the season, they end the game with a rousing fireworks show. They've done it for years, they know exactly what they're doing, and they aren't lighting them off right next to someone's house. This is the kind of display I am all for.

Why Fireworks Should Be Left to the Professionals

If you think I'm hating on fireworks because I find them annoying, you're not entirely wrong. But, there's a lot more that goes into it than that. Every year,

• thousands of people get injured, some even die; the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 8 deaths and about 9,700 injuries from fireworks
• animal control reports a 30-60% increase in lost pets around July 4-6
• fireworks ignite wildfires or structural fires
• veterans with PTSD can experience flashbacks, panic attacks, and more

Maybe, if you want to buy fireworks, you have to take AND pass a safety training class? Just a thought...