FIREWORKS CAN PROVIDE FUN WHEN USED PROPERLY

The latter part of June each year ushers in a thriving, if short-term, enterprise throughout Southeast Missouri. Fireworks vendors will sell their merchandise through the July 4 holiday, providing a sizable boost to the local economy.

We happily join in the festive celebration of our nation's independence, but also urge the public to apply common sense and courtesy to their handling and use of fireworks.

Missouri is one of 29 states where Class C fireworks such items as sparklers, fountains, spinners, bottle rockets, and firecrackers may be sold. Typically, about 2,000 fireworks retailers can be found throughout the state, including dozens in Southeast Missouri.

If used sensibly heeding warnings common to any flammable or combustible product and civilly heeding the peace and well-being of others fireworks need not be an excessive nuisance to anyone.

Thousands of children and adults each year are injured from fireworks, often due to simple carelessness. Safety always should be a priority. Again, it's a matter of common sense. Use fireworks only under adult supervision in an open area.

A total of 13 states ban all Class C fireworks and nine other states allow only sparklers, smoke bombs and other novelty items. Those states apparently have determined that concerns for the safety of residents outweigh those residents' freedom to use fireworks.

It should be considered a privilege to live in a state that allows the sale and use of fireworks. But no privilege is conferred without a corresponding obligation. You don't drive an automobile (also a privilege, though not often thought of as such) recklessly without eventually having to take responsibility for your actions. A traffic ticket or inflated insurance rates are the least painful consequence of such irresponsibility.

Responsibility is just as important in the use of fireworks, where the result can range from a citation to the loss of a finger, eyesight, or worse. Of course, the other aspect of responsibility is with regard to courtesy.

A city law prohibits the discharge of fireworks between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. from June 20-July 3. On July 4, however, the public will be allowed to discharge Class C fireworks until midnight. The law does help to curb "late-night" use of fireworks and thus avoid evident annoyances.

Obviously, the law doesn't assure residents that they won't be disturbed by fireworks before 10 p.m. Even if firecrackers were prohibited outright, as they were in this city prior to 1985, the police can't be everywhere. Indeed, only through the conscientious actions of those who use fireworks will the safety and peace of at least a majority of residents be maintained.

That's generally been the case in Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri in the past, and we urge residents to maintain that attitude. With a sense of responsibility from which unoffensive and prudent actions are sown July 4th revelers can reap a safe and happy holiday.