Editorial: Common courtesy goes a long way

Hawke's Bay Today News Editor James Ford. PHOTO / File

Guy Fawkes night is upon us and the fireworks debate has well and truly ignited again.

As a child in England, November 5 was always looked forward to.

Whether we were wrapped up warm at an organised bonfire night, waving sparklers and eating hotdogs while gasping with amazement at the technicolour explosions lighting up the night sky.

Or watching my dad hare away from the launch zone after lighting fireworks in our back garden, it was a night circled on the calendar.

Even if my father's health and safety measures left a lot to be desired.

It's a day that is arguably the most polarising.
It certainly has its benefits.

Families and communities enjoying an evening together with plenty of fun, something we seem to do less and less of nowadays.

Despite this, I also completely empathise with those that dread this time of year.
After all, fireworks do cause alarm, distress and anxiety to many people and animals.

Last November was when I truly understood.

The notion of killjoys ridding people of fun was dashed in the early hours of the morning.

I found myself cursing those letting off fireworks on the lead up to Guy Fawkes night,
while trying desperately to get our baby son to sleep before the hard work was undone by teens letting rip at 2am.

I also felt for our cat, then kitten, cowering under the bed in fear.

The debate will rage on, but one thing we can bear in mind is common curtesy.

A little notice and an eye on the time goes a long way.

And more importantly, stay safe.