We hope fireworks don't cause problems in Saline County

Needlessly put in harm's way

This old horse does not really need another beating, but we can't help but comment on Saline County Commission's lifting of its fireworks ban.

The change means the fire-starters can be purchased and lit in rural areas of the county. Lifting the ban does not affect restrictions in Salina, which allows a few tiny items to be triggered within the city limits.

Our comments today are based on a fire 10 days ago in the small central Kansas town of Emmett, in Pottawatomie County. Investigators say a boy playing with fireworks sparked a blaze that destroyed three buildings.

A family lost its home and some of its pets. A bar owner lost a business. A warehouse was destroyed.

Beside those losses, crews from nearby towns St. Marys, Onaga and Havensville had to be called in to battle the blaze. Thank heavens no one was injured.

It's impossible to know if this accident would have been avoided if the community had tighter restrictions on fireworks. But there are good odds a fireworks ban would have reduced the availability.

Similarly, by lifting Saline County's fireworks ban, commissioners made it more likely that in the days around July Fourth we will see more fires, more property damage and more firefighters and other emergency personnel put in harm's way.

Public safety officials expressed concern over lifting the ban, but commissioners apparently gave those words little thought, and gave more weight to those who campaigned in support of fireworks sales.

And who were the most vocal in their support? Those who sell fireworks.

We pray our county will never be subject to fireworks-related blazes, property damage or injuries. But if we are, then the responsibility will fall squarely on Saline County commissioners who ignored safety warnings.

-- Tom Bell

Editor & Publisher

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says....
Basing your viewpoint on what happened in Emmett KS is kind of strange considering the fireworks themselves had nothing to do with the fire. The kid was trying to light fireworks and the open flame got too close to flamable materials. This could have happened just as easily if the kid was just playing with a lighter, so..why did the 13 year old have fireworks when legally they aren't even for sale yet. Maybe the parents should shoulder some of that responsiblity? I understand that they lost their house, but trying use that example as a reason to keep a ban on fireworks is ridiculous. If you are going to use that argument, then let's ban lighters/matches and flamable household chemicals.
6/15/2009

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Join the Army for Fireworks says....
There are three good reasons to ban fireworks: 1. The accidental destruction of homes, businesses and property by fireworks as shown in this story. 2. Sending our money to buy Chinese fireworks when we need every dollar for our own businesses. 3. Emergency room visits by children, teens and adults who are harmed by fireworks.
6/14/2009

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You worry too much says....
When I was growing up in small town, Nebraska, it was the early 60's. Every kid was allowed to run around the neighborhood shooting off firecrackers. We would 'blow' things up, bulge out pop cans, blow tin cans two feet in the air, and we had fun. Then, on the evening of the 4th practically every home that had kids had a mini fireworks display in their backyard. I don't recall there ever being any problems. I'm sure it happened somewhere, but I never knew anyone who had a finger or two blown off, never knew anyone who had an eye put out, and never heard of any fires that were started as a result of fireworks. I have always seen the fireworks bans as another instrument of control by the wanna be do gooders.
6/14/2009

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