Fireworks…a patriotic tradition?

or Threat to Wildlife

     Fireworks that explode or become airborne are illegal in Florida and aren’t sold locally. But, every summer, visitors to St. George bring fireworks from home, to shoot off at night on our beaches.

     Fireworks scare away nesting turtles. And the materials that make fireworks kill the marine wildlife and put toxins in the water.

     Plastic nose cones, plastic tailfins and plastic spheres that contain the explosives for the rockets, float in the water resembling food that marine animals eat.

     The glues in the cardboards, and the inks that color the fireworks all contain toxic chemicals which poison marine animals.

     Visitors to St. George for Independence Day should attend an

organized fireworks display in Apalachicola or Carabelle rather than

harm our marine wildlife and scare away our nesting turtles.