Enjoy the fireworks, but don’t forget the cleanup

Lucy (my little Rat Terrier) is usually by my side whether I’m sitting on the couch reading the paper or standing at the sink washing dishes. She thinks I’m her pet and she needs to protect me. It’s in her 24/7 job description as “Pet Owner” to sleep in my bed, watch over me as I bathe and maintain a 20 foot “cat-free” perimeter around my person.

Every time, and I mean every time, a neighbor slams a car door or a kid walks by the house, she jumps to attention. Her front paws resting on the back of the couch �” back legs stretched high as possible on tiny tippy toes �” all in an attempt to better see the offending noise maker. Of course, her hackles are raised and that little stub of a tail is going around in circles at a hundred miles an hour.

Lucy is totally fearless when it comes to barking away all pedestrians on the sidewalk in front of our house. I don’t fully understand dog language, but if I had to guess, I imagine that my little rat terrorist is shouting out: “You want a piece of me? Hey! I’m talking to you, you lousy biped. You want a piece of this? Humph! I didn’t think so!” The slower the pedestrians walk, the longer the doggy tirade.

Lucy is the bravest of doggy protectors �” that is except for one week each year. When the fireworks go on sale and the explosions begin �” our little rat terrorist becomes a shaking, sniveling, frightened, giant sized coward.

Instead of resting peacefully by my side, you will find her cowering under the piano or behind some boxes in my office. She is totally bummed out by the noise.

Getting her to go outside is a major event. I have to check to make sure no one is setting off the fireworks on our street. If a couple of the neighborhood kids are blowing things up, I have to convince them to hold their fire for a few minutes so Lucy can pee. Once it’s dark, forget it. She’s in for the night and most likely lying on my head, excessively panting in my ear.

You might think that because I have a dog with a firework phobia, that I don’t like fireworks. Not so. I enjoy gathering with the neighbors and watching all the explosive blasts of color. Artillery shells are my favorite. And those fountains that spew copper and purple sparks �” those are so cool.

So I admit it, I like fireworks. I think they are pretty. I also have to admit that the fireworks I love to see explode contain some nasty ingredients and are not conducive to a “green” lifestyle.

Toxic heavy metals like barium, aluminum, lead, mercury salts, antimony, copper and strontium are used in firework compositions to create the color effects. The smoke from fireworks contains fine toxic dusts that can easily enter the lungs. This is a real threat for people with asthma or chemical sensitivity. The smoke from consumer fireworks is released at a low level which makes inhalation more likely when compared to smoke from professional displays.

Firework fallout can contaminate water supplies and firework debris and residue can be carried away by rain -- ending up in our lakes and rivers and eventually making its way to the oceans.

And of course there is the firework litter. No one appreciates the neighbor who leaves the firework tubes, cones, cubes or packaging deteriorating in the street.

As you celebrate this Fourth of July, please be mindful of the firework pollution you are creating and how it will affect the environment and your health. I know I can’t just give up all fireworks -- that would be too hard. However, I promise to cut back and definitely sweep up the litter. I’m sure Lucy will appreciate my sacrifice.

Sue Reyzlik is the coordinator for Keep Fremont Beautiful.