The dangers of neighbourhood fireworks are real
I recently tuned into the Todd Veinotte Show on CityNews and heard a familiar voice:
Dr. Hugh Chisholm, a retired veterinarian.
Chisholm’s specialty was veterinary care for our feline friends. He’s humble, compassionate, intelligent and he cares about the world we live in.
Chisholm was on the radio to talk about an initiative he is involved with: banning private fireworks in Nova Scotia. Chisholm made it very clear this crusade involves two extraordinary individuals: Pam Levy and Jean Scotney.
Their initiative is a multilayered ambition which includes protecting children with autism, veterans who suffer from PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder), the environment, neighbourhoods, humans, animals, both domestic and wildlife, and preventing fires.
Their ambition is not to prohibit fireworks from regularly organized approved exhibits such as Canada Day or Natal Day. They are looking for support to keep fireworks out of private neighbourhoods and rural areas, with safety for everyone in mind.
Levy started a Change. org petition #FireworksHurt to send to the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly with more than 15,000 signatures. You can find the petition at https://www.change.org/p/ nova-scotia-legislature-banconsumer-fireworks-in-novascotia.
Scotney diligently tracks complaints to show the provincial government which neighbourhoods have a significant problem with unsolicited nightly fireworks.
All three individuals are diligently working to keep everyone safe. If you want to follow their progress, they administer two Facebook groups: Fireworks Hurt and Ban Fireworks in Nova Scotia. They also created a website, http://www.banfire worksnovascotia.org/.
During our conversation, Chisholm brought a few troubling points to my attention, which should make everyone uncomfortable.
Each member of the Legislative Assembly in Nova Scotia (MLA) received a package from Chisholm regarding the fireworks ban. Nova Scotia has 55 MLAs and only one MLA responded to Chisholm.
He said that until 2002 fireworks were illegal and could not be sold in Nova Scotia. It was repealed and Chisholm has not received an explanation as to why the change transpired.
He pointed out noise bylaws are in place but are not regularly enforced.
Fireworks are unsafe in private neighbourhoods and can even be dangerous when a fire department or Parks Canada approves the display. On Oct. 21, 2017, Halifax Regional Fire was called to a blaze on Citadel Hill. There was a firework display at an approved event and a firework landed on the grass roof of the national historic site. It caused a bush fire.
On Feb. 12, 2021, a Kentville man suffered severe facial injuries when fireworks were used at a birthday celebration.
Chisholm told me nine dogs were reported missing in Nova Scotia after this year’s July 1 celebration, including fireworks. He said one dog was killed when hit by a train in East Hants. Reports have kept rolling in of missing dogs.
If you want to protect the environment from the toxins of fireworks, ensure your neighbours are not disturbed by noise, ensure wildlife are safe from harm and keep children and our pets safe, please sign the petition and join the Facebook groups. Let’s ensure everyone, two-legged and four-legged, can enjoy our beautiful province safely and peacefully.
Please be kind to animals.