Editorial: Fireworks, it's not okay

NomNom ... scared by fireworks and missing.

Jacinda Ardern says fireworks are a pain in the butt.

But she's not actively considering a ban.

She should be.

What other activity do we allow that causes so many people such misery just so that others can have a bit of fun?

It's not okay for families to end up distraught every year when loved pets go missing, some never to be seen again.

It's not okay for people to stockpile fireworks so they can let them off from November through February.

It's not okay to be letting them off at 4am in the morning.

It's not okay that children and adults alike are maimed and injured each year.

It's not okay to overstretch our fire service who struggle to respond to so many calls all coming in around the same time, or for the property damage that inevitably occurs every year.

It's not okay to terrify animals because humans want a quick thrill.

Fire calls due to fireworks were up this year.

Jacinda says she's noticed fireworks being hawked out of the back of vans.

It is time to end the madness.

Ban the public sale of fireworks and allow properly controlled public displays only.

This is not a case of being the fun police. Large numbers of New Zealanders are fed up to the back teeth.

Meantime those who enjoy letting off back yard crackers for the kids - please do so responsibly. Don't start at 5pm before people have had a chance to lock their pets away safely.

Or passed midnight when people are trying to sleep.

And please limit your fun to the one night that fireworks are supposed to be let off - November 5 - and not all summer long.

Meanwhile if you see a large (okay obese) fluffy black and white cat in the Whanganui area, please let me know.

There are people who miss him.