Health advocates warn of fireworks trigger concerns
MARYLAND – Independence Day is just a day away and many people are stocking up on those fireworks.
It may be good vibes for some, but that’s not the case for everybody. “All the bright lights, loud booms, if you’re close enough to the fireworks you can even feel some shockwaves,” said CEO Ian Bolland, of Mind Map Wellness.
The Fourth of July is a fun time for fireworks but not everyone can handle the noise, so in the state of Maryland they have specific fireworks for you to use to keep everyone safe. “The aerial fireworks are illegal in Maryland so everything in all of the fireworks tents in Salisbury are all the ground-based sparklers which are legal so you are able to use them,” said Shane Ayres Morgan with TNT Fireworks.
Ian Bolland says the unpredictability of when the firework will launch plays a role. Bolland says for those suffering from PTSD or any other trauma, fireworks may trigger traumatic memories. “People that have been on the frontlines, combat veterans, or just working in very stressful loud environments can pair the threat of whatever there is and in their on environment,” said Bolland.
The fireworks that are legal have less of an impact compared to traditional aerial fireworks. “There’s a lot of sparklers in some of these, little pops and crackles but it’s not going to be anything that’s too dangerously loud,” said Ayres Morgan.
If you are sensitive to these sounds, Bolland says it’s best to be prepared for fireworks events but to also place yourself where you feel safest to enjoy the evening. “Creating that safe and quiet space in your house can be beneficial so this could also maybe include using noise-cancelling headphones or playing your own music,” said Bolland.
Bolland says that fireworks can also trigger people’s fight or flight response because of the hyperarousal. This can even happen to your pets, so keep your furry friends in mind Thursday. You can book appointments with Bolland here.
TNT Fireworks is offering discounts to military personnel and first responders who’d like to purchase their fireworks in Salisbury.
