If you hear fireworks outside your house, it’s probably your neighbours celebrating Guy Fawkes night. Christchurch and possibly Wellington have had to postpone their public Fireworks shows because of heavy rain and wind but the weather looks better for tomorrow.

You may hear the sound of crackers and other fireworks in your street for the next few days but fireworks are on sale for a limited time only. You might be lucky enough to be able to enjoy other people’s fireworks from outside your house, especially if you live on a hill. Make sure you keep your pets inside because they can be scared by the noise.

Fireworks are expensive to buy so most people prefer to attend a public show where they have spectacular sky rockets and many other kinds of fireworks, the kind to make us all go “OOh” or “AAh”. We don’t have many opportunities to watch fireworks in New Zealand so Guy Fawkes Night is very popular.

To find out more about Guy Fawkes, listen to November 5th 2009

Questions

Do you think people should be able to buy fireworks? What are the dangers? Is the enjoyment worth the cost? Would you travel to a public show with thousands of other spectators?