Ban fireworks if they're loud
During the coming weeks we shall no doubt be reading letters of complaint about fireworks, and in many cases these will be justified. Fireworks have been with us for many years and I would not like to see them banned altogether because they do bring enjoyment to many, especially children.
When I was a child I always looked forward to Bonfire Night, but in those days the celebrations were confined to November 5 and not for months on end, People were far more responsible in letting them off, and, most important, they were far less powerful and certainly did not make so much noise.
I have a very simple answer to the problem - make it an offence to manufacture or sell to the public fireworks that go above a certain level of noise, so that they will not frighten animals and older citizens. Surely it does not need an all night sitting of parliament or an edition of Panorama to make sure that fireworks, although giving pleasure, do not cause alarm. I believe imported products are probably the ones that cause most problems. That's easy to solve - ban the import of foreign-made fireworks.
It might also help if they were not sold so early and not at all times of the year. Is it necessary for us to have the problem of fireworks for such a long time?
I hope my suggestions will not cause any offence to those who have fireworks as part of their celebrations.
D Hickinbottom, Lewis Street, Tipton.
