Fireworks Frustration

Issues regarding the use of fireworks.

The Fireworks Frustration site addresses issues resulting from fireworks discharge. Though the content is largely focused on the CVRD (Cowichan Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada), the ideas are applicable to any community which regards fireworks displays at best, a nuisance or at worst, a hazard.

What you can do right away!

Tell your politicians, you want a complete ban on fireworks! Send emails to:

CVRD (Cowichan Valley Regional District) legislativeservices@cvrd.bc.ca

CVD (City of Victoria) mayorandcouncil@victoria.ca

Don’t know what to write? Check out some sample letters.

Subscribe to our monthly SayNoToFireworks News to be in the know about what is going on!
Want to be actively involved? Join our discussion group SayNoToFireworks Muse.

The specific difficulties to eliminating fireworks are:

many people are not informed of the rules regarding fireworks in their community
some don’t realize that fireworks can harm wildlife, livestock, pets and neighbors
a selfish few, don’t care whom they bother or what the law says

The content here may encourage the first 2 groups understand the problems and then to act with consideration, but the last group needs to be dealt by law enforcement.

To report unlawful fireworks discharge:

in the CVRD contact:

250.746.2655 (Electoral Areas, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan)
250.746.3266 (North Cowichan)

in the Victoria area contact:

250.475.1775 (Saanich)
250.995.7654 (City of Victoria)

It would be prudent for the CVRD to ban fireworks regardless of potential enforcement difficulties: it is easier to enforce something that actually exists than something that does not. Having the law on our side, also gives residents a legitimate footing from which to voice discontent to inconsiderate individuals.

Below you will find detailed sections that deal in specific areas, but we suggest you start with our
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
which provides concise answers to a variety of questions.

This site is still under construction. If you have any suggestions contact our receptive webmaintainer.

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Section Headings are below in alphabetical order:

Legalities

Excerpts of CVRD and other guidelines for fireworks.

This section contains various acts and guidelines that regulate fireworks discharge for specific localities.

Media

Media articles and other items published regarding fireworks issues.

Various media related to fireworks will be gathered here. The items will contain quoted excerpts in italics. Any editorial commentary will be shown inside [].

Research Papers

Research papers from journals regarding fireworks impact.

Various journal papers regarding the effects of fireworks will be presented in this section.

Stories

Personal stories about encounters with fireworks displays.

Personal experiences with fireworks and those discharging them will be collected here. These can include not only bad experiences, but also ones on how a community stopped fireworks displays.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions and their answers.

Here we provide questions and answers to matters regarding fireworks.

Problems and Solutions

Problem fireworks discharge creates and some solutions.

Specific problems such as pollution and health issues are presented followed by some solutions.

Resources

Various resources useful for dealing with fireworks frustration.

Here are some resources that may be of use for those actively seeking to stop fireworks frustration.

Helpful Alliances

Alliances with various groups can help bring about an end to fireworks.

This section lists actual and potential alliances with groups, organizations and individuals who want to end fireworks displays. There is strength in numbers and working together we can achieve the goal we all seek.

Presenting to Politicians

A HowTo Guide on making presentations to city councils to effect policy.

In order to ban fireworks, citizens need to educate and convince their politicians. The information here details the process for presenting to various municipalties at council meetings.