Son Died By Lighting Fireworks On His Head

[Michelle]

This is true. My father in law just bought a beat up old boat, but because it has a motor, he had to register it. I'm not sure, but I think it the boat is non-powered then it does not need to be registered. Kayaks, canoes and such don't require a license or boat registration.

Sailboats, above a certain length, have to be registered whether they have a motor or not.

[F3SS]

I beg your pardon????

WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT WITH SOAP YOUNG MAN!!!!!!!!!

I have a problem with alcohol and guns, I have a problem with alcohol and explosives and I have a problem with alcohol and driving, common sense stuff that people should not do. Alcohol should beget MORE alcohol and a Taxi. Not a dangerous Item - what's the logic behind that F3SS?? I have no idea where you are going with this. You think alcohol and explosives are a good combination???

I was just wondering but my extended point is that you can't ban everything that doesn't go well with alcohol or you'd have a great case against cars and relationships too.

[psyche101]

You keep coming back to the Alcohol yet I have yet to hear you mention banning alcohol...........

What an amazingly small mind!! LOL, you cannot fathom that the effects of Alcohol are detrimental to judgement? What happens when you drink and drive - is there a law against that?

Banning alcohol would be a criminal action. Banning people from handling deadly objects whilst under the influence of alcohol is a no brainer.

I can take PVC pipe and a potato and kill you, should we ban those? I can certainly kill you with the knife I use to peel potatoes and other veggies with, should those be banned? I could hit you over the head a few times with the cutting board....... Oh NO!! Those must be banned too!!!!!!

LOL, I doubt that because you do not seem to be able to think your way out of a paper bag, you need skill to use a weapon against someone mate.

If you drop a PVC Pipe or Potato can it kill anyone? No, an explosive can, you probably could not even assemble a potato gun when drunk.

Your comment is silly and childish, an explosive only blows things up. You have to have a sick twisted mind to use a household item and fashion it into a weapon to hurt another. If that is how a person thinks, they simply should ne be on the streets, to begin with, and if you want to kill someone with a potato peeler, then you should be in jail right now. You do not have that right in a community. That is a sick and twisted thought to begin with.

In fact, you should consider speaking to a professional if these thoughts are in your head.

[F3SS]

But you're arguing for banning fireworks and not for simply banning fireworks handling under the influence. That's a whole different story.

[Gummug]

I guess I'm in the middle. I don't think his actions made it so he deserved to die. I explained earlier why.

I don't have an issue with these being legal. The purpose is entertainment. The purpose of a speedboat is entertainment. There is also danger involved. The purpose of a go cart is entertainment. The purpose of a trampoline, a pool or a mini bike is all entertainment.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but I think people have died or at least been injured using all or any of the abovel I agree with Psyche, he didn't deserve to die, and it is true, we all have made mistakes...I know I personally, when I was a kid, made mistakes that could have gotten me killed. I do believe God watches out for kids and fools.

[psyche101]

I come from the city of three rivers so ocean boating, as that looks like, or channel boating or whatever could be different. There are markers here and there for different things but generally no lanes.

Where I am, there is extensive waterways that lead to the Ocean. those pics are not Ocean pics, in fact the second one is from a local place that offers guidelines for your license - LINK

The river systems go all the way back to Fresh Water sources, but those markers are on every waterway in Australia.

This view is from the North part of the Gold Coast, Paradise Point.

[psyche101]

I was just wondering but my extended point is that you can't ban everything that doesn't go well with alcohol or you'd have a great case against cars and relationships too.

Well, cars and alcohol are indeed already prohibited partners, it seems a good idea to keep alcohol away from all seriously dangerous items?

Hrmzzzz...... might be able to comment on relationships there too, but probably better not......... not a totally bad idea though.....

It is a ban to the average person, that crowd with the slowest person. Professionals would have to operate explosives when not under the influence of alcohol, just like they would with any explosive contract works. It will help prop up an entire industry and keep people safe. If I was injured by some drunk moron being funny with a firework, I'd want the moron who allowed him to have it to pay the price.

It means also that fireworks would be more of a special event and have more impact, creating a better industry for the people who bother to learn how to handle them safely.

[psyche101]

But you're arguing for banning fireworks and not for simply banning fireworks handling under the influence. That's a whole different story.

I think more if it like

"insisting professionals who are trained to handle explosives be responsible for them solely"

Why do you have to light the fuse? It goes bang in the sky anyway, why not let a professional person who is trained to handle these dangerous item light the fuse?

I mean look at it F3SS, what really is the big deal here - public safety, do you really think refusing safety for the chance to light the fuse is a good trade off? Have you looked at the accident stats?

[Gummug]

YES!!

Why the bloody hell not??

If something is extremely dangerous and deadly, it should not be available to everyone! This mentality of "I use my "insert what you want here" safely!! Why should I miss out"? is just crazy talk!! You live in a freaking community.

You guys just do not seem to "get it" Society can only move as fast as it's slowest person. They will always be the handbrake. It is why you can HAVE a sportscar (F3SS) but you have to stick within the speed limit, why? BECAUSE THAT PRICK JOHN GOT DRUNK AND KILLED A DOZEN PEOPLE ON A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT!! That is why!! THANKS JOHN !!!!! Now I cannot drive at 200kph!! Ridiculous, but that is life isn't it!!

Hey, why not legalise Rocket Launchers!! Those who get them will only use them responsibly and nobody will get hurt I am sure of it!!

It is why most of the REST of the civilised world has banned Fireworks. It is why they were banned in that state until 2012!!

You guys need to get over yourselves. If you want a nuclear weapon, you can't just have it, if you want a rocket launcher, you cannot just have it, if you want explosives you can't just have them. We live in a society, if you wish to remain in a society, then you need to follow guidelines that suit the majority of people and offer a safe environment. If you disagree, become a hermit in the woods, nobody will miss a person with that outlook.

It is also destroying a specialized industry and putting good people out of work who KNOW how to handle explosives, and even THEY get killed from time to time despite extensive training!! Save it for professionals, given proper training and licensed to do so!

Not only that, a firework is a very easy way to inadvertently start a serious fire!! The risks are endless!! Even a health hazard! China even did a study on it!!

When they explode they release carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter which are known pollutants, and generally try to avoid breathing in. The study I mentioned from China found high concentrations of PM2.5 — the particulate matter most dangerous to human health which was directly linked to the fireworks-heavy New Year’s celebrations. The study concluded that:

“We have found that air quality is seriously affected by this human activity and the effects are much greater than we previously thought. It is time to alert the public to the negative effects of our cultural customs”

LINK to Study.

Not only that, but these are explosives, this young man died because the product malfunctioned, it could have hurt any person i this vicinity, this poor unfortunate fellow got drunk and picked the one faulty product. Had the product been up to standard, he would be here to foolishly comment today.

The Royal College of Optometrists claims that 10 people a year lose their sight through fireworks, and in 2005 (the last year in which statistics were recorded) the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents found that almost 1,000 people were injured by fireworks. But hey screw them, it will ruin my party huh? Not like it will happen to me, or hurt someone that I know.

I just do not get this selfish and totally foolish line of thought - I WANT it, so I AM going to have it, forget rules, common sense or other people I WANT IT.

There is a reason they were banned to begin with!!! What idiotic moronic politician bowed to public pressure to weakly re-enact something that is costing lives???? Gosh for all the terrible remarks I hear about US politician's you sure do not mind them when you are forcing them to do what you want them to do.

I am still wondering if you pro people are actually serious. Can a person be that self centered?????

I hadn't thought of the health reasons, but that's a valid point. What angers me a bit is that originally the 4th of July was to celebrate our independence and freedom. Nowadays I wonder how many people even think of that...at the same time we "celebrate our freedom" we let our politicians trample on the constitution...seems a bit hypocritical...but this is off topic, so back on topic, yeah, I never would have agreed when I was younger but now when you're trying to sleep and people are setting off REALLY LOUD fireworks at 2 am...and I suspect a lot of those "fireworks" are really "firearms" being discharged (illegally). Just to clarify, I am all in favor of the 2nd amendment, but I don't like to see it abused...it just hurts those of us who seek to be responsible...

[CrimsonKing]

I don't think a total ban on fireworks would ever work psyche but it would not bother me...

I could go along with the only pros allowed to light them for special occassions,hell every 4th i see people who can barely operate a lighter walk out with pounds of fireworks...

I don't need anyone quoting me giving me examples of other what if situations,i'm just saying "fireworks" Hell before i even left my house around 2 in the afternoon this past 4th several fire trucks already came screaming past...

Just my opinion and i am not arguing it with anybody

[Gummug]

If alcohol is what turned a harmless firework into a death weapon, and Alcohol turns a car into a deadly weapon, and alcohol turns a boat into a deadly weapon, and alcohol on it's own is a poison.......... hum ......... sounds like ALCOHOL is the problem........

Imo, not alcohol per se (I drink myself, moderately), but alcohol ABUSE, most certainly!

P.S. I don't literally drink myself, I don't think i would taste very good!

[psyche101]

I hadn't thought of the health reasons, but that's a valid point. What angers me a bit is that originally the 4th of July was to celebrate our independence and freedom. Nowadays I wonder how many people even think of that...at the same time we "celebrate our freedom" we let our politicians trample on the constitution...seems a bit hypocritical...but this is off topic, so back on topic, yeah, I never would have agreed when I was younger but now when you're trying to sleep and people are setting off REALLY LOUD fireworks at 2 am...and I suspect a lot of those "fireworks" are really "firearms" being discharged (illegally). Just to clarify, I am all in favor of the 2nd amendment, but I don't like to see it abused...it just hurts those of us who seek to be responsible...

Very much where I am coming from, thank you for commenting.

I too would have opposed such a ban when younger, and remember being bitterly disappointed when it was introduced. Got over it very quickly though, and now see the common sense in the action.

So many holiday end up like this, we forget why we have them and get caught up in the festivities which major companies capitalise on.

[psyche101]

I don't think a total ban on fireworks would ever work psyche but it would not bother me...

I could go along with the only pros allowed to light them for special occassions,hell every 4th i see people who can barely operate a lighter walk out with pounds of fireworks...

I don't need anyone quoting me giving me examples of other what if situations,i'm just saying "fireworks" Hell before i even left my house around 2 in the afternoon this past 4th several fire trucks already came screaming past...

Just my opinion and i am not arguing it with anybody

Just a total ban to the general public, it has been like that here since I was a kid and it works OK. Once in a blue moon someone gets a hold of a firework, and you see one in a residential area, the Police chase it up in a lacklustre fashion as it is usually a one of, and hard to pinpoint the perpetrator. We still see fireworks about 5 times a year for various events, but they tend to be rather spectacular as a professional team puts it all together.

The big win is an entire industry is supported by the ban. It's not just all the safety concerns, but this helps small businesses as well who specialise in explosives.

New Years eve is an incredible event, every major city has extensive firework displays. Then we have Riverfest, Major events and opening, we do not go without, we just don't let the average joe near the dangerous bits. One is forced to sit back and enjoy the show in complete safety and comfort. With a stubby in hand if desired.

[Beefers]

That is what people tend to do when drinking - not think things through - and fireworks are used at celebrations, where alcohol is more than often a factor - which is what makes a public ban a no brainer the way I see it.

You want to ban the means, fireworks, instead of the cause, alcohol?

[psyche101]

You want to ban the means, fireworks, instead of the cause, alcohol?

I mean use your freaking head, the two do not mix well like drinking and driving. Soon as you ban cars, I'll be happy to ban Alcohol OK?

Good God. Is it really that hard to fathom? I know 5 year olds that would pick his up faster than half this forum has.

If you want to put other lives in danger for a personal thrill you are being completely and utterly selfish and show little respect to your community. Simple as that.

Yes, ban the means, the means can still kill and injure and DO with or without alcohol. Just for you now - alcohol escalates the level of danger by impairing judgement. So to specifically target events with alcohol and market explosives is an astoundly stupid move that most of the world realise and abide by. Things are what they are. The people speaking about this kid leaving the defective gene pool do not appear to be adding to it!!

Burying death in statics does not make a case, it makes you callous.

[aztek]

Sailboats, above a certain length, have to be registered whether they have a motor or not.

yes, i actuall had to deal with this, any boat no matter the type or size must be regestered if you are using a motor, even if it is a small 30lb trolling motor, even if you attach it to a wooden crate, it has to be regestered. also people at dmv do not seem to have much thinking fluid in their head, sometimes regestering a boat is next to impossible, i had to get rid of one boat, and buy another zodiac from a dealler, so could get tags for it. the idiots at dmv wanted paperwork from the day the boat was manufactured, and papers for every party that bough\sold it. i could not regester my old boat so i had to buy a new, and have dealer regester it.

Edited July 15, 2015 by aztek

[Myles]

A Go Cart goes on a Go Cart Track, you do not drive it through your neighbourhood, you take it to a special track where you are a registered member, you wear helmets and safety gear, you are trained in the operation and have to show you are competent.

You do not let children go on a trampoline under a certain age unsupervised,

same with a pool

That is the same thing as making trained professionals the sole handler of all explosives.

You are wrong on all three of those.

You can drive go carts on your own property any time you want. Same with ATV's.

Sure, a responsible person should not let their children on a trampoline if they are too young. A responsible person shouldn't light a firework on their head either. A trampoline is an item that is known to cause thousands of injuries annually. However, I own one. My 2 daughters love it. I knew the risks when I purchased it. I do not want them outlawed. Or made so only professionals can use them.

Swimming pools would be a much better comparison to fireworks as they are used quite often with alcohol involved. Each year there are many cases of adults and children who drown in swimming pools. They are certainly dangerous with or without alcohol.

[+DieChecker]

yes, i actuall had to deal with this, any boat no matter the type or size must be regestered if you are using a motor, even if it is a small 30lb trolling motor, even if you attach it to a wooden crate, it has to be regestered. also people at dmv do not seem to have much thinking fluid in their head, sometimes regestering a boat is next to impossible, i had to get rid of one boat, and buy another zodiac from a dealler, so could get tags for it. the idiots at dmv wanted paperwork from the day the boat was manufactured, and papers for every party that bough\sold it. i could not regester my old boat so i had to buy a new, and have dealer regester it.

I wonder if the guy you sold the old one to managed to get it registered? Or just used it illegally...

[+DieChecker]

You are wrong on all three of those.

You can drive go carts on your own property any time you want. Same with ATV's.

Sure, a responsible person should not let their children on a trampoline if they are too young. A responsible person shouldn't light a firework on their head either. A trampoline is an item that is known to cause thousands of injuries annually. However, I own one. My 2 daughters love it. I knew the risks when I purchased it. I do not want them outlawed. Or made so only professionals can use them.

Swimming pools would be a much better comparison to fireworks as they are used quite often with alcohol involved. Each year there are many cases of adults and children who drown in swimming pools. They are certainly dangerous with or without alcohol.

We've got a trampoline also and I usually do watch the kids (4 and 7) when they are using it. But I have seen kids get their teeth knocked out on trampolines when unsupervised.

I also believe that dirt bikes don't have to be registered if you drive them on your own land and not on the street.

[F3SS]

I'm pretty sure dirt bikes don't have to ever be registered no matter what land they're used on. Only street legal ones that are driven on the road have to be.

[Beefers]

I mean use your freaking head, the two do not mix well like drinking and driving. Soon as you ban cars, I'll be happy to ban Alcohol OK?

Good God. Is it really that hard to fathom? I know 5 year olds that would pick his up faster than half this forum has.

If you want to put other lives in danger for a personal thrill you are being completely and utterly selfish and show little respect to your community. Simple as that.

Yes, ban the means, the means can still kill and injure and DO with or without alcohol. Just for you now - alcohol escalates the level of danger by impairing judgement. So to specifically target events with alcohol and market explosives is an astoundly stupid move that most of the world realise and abide by. Things are what they are. The people speaking about this kid leaving the defective gene pool do not appear to be adding to it!!

Burying death in statics does not make a case, it makes you callous.

Sounds like we got an alcoholic here...

[+DieChecker]

Burying death in statics does not make a case, it makes you callous.

That is true, but it is also true that legislation doesn't stop people when they want to do something. An example is marijuana use. It was highly illegal, yet as much as a quarter of the population may be using it.

Sometimes "callous" is what is most practical. After all vaccines and such DO end up killing some people, but if the numbers are "acceptable" then you go with the choice of least damage.

[+DieChecker]

I bought a place recently up on the side of a hill with several acres. We are maybe 400 feet above the valley floor, and we can see the entire Tualatin Valley. Which probably has a population of 200,000 people. Flying fireworks are illegal in Oregon, yet we saw probably 2000 to 3000 places where illegal fireworks were being launched. Fully 1% of the population was breaking the law all at once. And that was just the people launching mortars which could be seen all the way across the valley.

I don't think you can legislate fireworks as easily as firearms, unless the sources of them (fireworks) are restricted within much/most of the nation. If you have legal mortars in Idaho, or Washington, then you're going to have people using those mortars in Oregon and even California.

Edited July 15, 2015 by DieChecker

[aztek]

I wonder if the guy you sold the old one to managed to get it registered? Or just used it illegally...

it is only illegal to instal a motor on it, (it is 11 foot inflatable) with no tags, otherwise, it is perfectly legal to use with oars. actually it is leagl to use with motor if used on private lake.

[Sweetpumper]

He probably shouldn't have lit fireworks on his head.