Celebrate holiday with zeal, but safely, please


The “birthday celebration” for our nation is coming up this weekend. (I’ll never figure out why the major fireworks display in our community is set for Friday, July 3, instead of Saturday, July 4??) I urge you to celebrate the holiday with great joy and great zeal — but also do it safely, please.

Do you set off fireworks as part of your Independence Day celebrations? Do you attend some sort of community fireworks display? Just as candy and something like a beautiful diamond heart jewelry piece would be appropriate for Valentine’s Day, so do American flags and fireworks seem entirely “right” for July 4th. I’m not a big fan of setting off fireworks personally, but I applaud the communities which offer wonderful fireworks displays for their citizens.

Indeed, in our city it is illegal to set off ANY fireworks within the city limits. I suspect that’s true in most metropolitan areas. And given the injuries and fire risks that often accompany private fireworks, that’s pretty understandable.

So I urge you to 1) observe all the laws of your community regarding fireworks, and, 2) if/when you set off fireworks, be very conscious of the risks and the fire dangers involved.

Don’t hurt anyone. Don’t let your kids hurt themselves. And, for heaven’s sakes, DON’T start any fires.

So go ahead and celebrate our nation’s birth with a sense of pride and joy, and with great zeal. But do it safely, please!

July 2, 2009 | Filed Under Holidays 

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