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"Should We Ban Fireworks?"

Written by David L. Burton for University of Missouri Extension

First used for a public issues forum in Republic, Mo. (July 2005), this discussion guide is now being used in other communities nationwide to foster community deliberation about how to best balance the issues of fireworks and personal freedom. This guide was developed over a six months of extensive research on the issue of fireworks. Information was gathered from the American Pyrotechnics Association (Pro) and the National Fire Protection Association (Con) as well as other organizations. Administrators in six different cities, state law makers, County Commissioners, fireworks wholesalers, law enforcement officials, area firemen and citizens were contacted for information regarding laws, safety, fireworks history and enforcement ideas.

DISCUSSION GUIDES FOR USE ANYWHERE

Fireworks tri-fold discussion guide -- generic (.pdf format)

This tri-fold guide quickly frames the issue of fireworks for discussion.

Information packet to use WITH discussion guide (.pdf format)

This 60-page guide includes fireworks safety research, information on state laws, news stories about fireworks, sample city legislation dealing with fireworks and letters from citizens about fireworks. This same guide is being used nationally by the Kettering Foundation's National Issues Forums.

INFORMATION & REPORTS SPECIFIC TO REPUBLIC, MO.

Notes & comments from forum in Republic, Mo. -- July 2005 (.pdf)

Executive summary from forum in Republic, Mo. -- July 2005 (.pdf)

Questionnaire tabulation from forum in Republic, Mo. -- July 2005 (.pdf)

Discussion guide specific to Republic, Mo. (.pdf)

RELATED WEBSITES

National Council on Fireworks Safety: http://www.fireworksafety.com/

American Pyrotechnics Association: http://www.americanpyro.com

National Fire Protection Association: http://www.nfpa.org

American Academy of Pediatrics: http://www.aap.org

U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov

Information, reports and guides from other Extension hosted public issue forums are available online by CLICKING HERE.

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		David L. Burton, BurtonD@missouri.edu Civic Communication Specialist, University of Missouri Extension Last Modified: 09/25/08