By: Stacy Hixon, MA, LPC-S, CCTP, FRTP
For many individuals, the Fourth of July is not a celebration. It can be a deeply activating time for people living with PTSD, especially when fireworks sound like gunfire, explosions, or other traumatic events.
We often forget that loud, ground shaking booms may affect people who have experienced war, violence, mass shootings, assaults, injuries, fires, or other life threatening events. This can include veterans, peace officers, students, survivors of violence, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, and many others.
Pets are often terrified as well.
In many cities, including mine, residential fireworks are illegal. Yet every year, people choose to set them off anyway. Law enforcement often receives so many calls that they cannot keep up. Firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics can also become overwhelmed responding to firework related injuries, fires, and emergencies, which can delay their ability to respond to other serious or life threatening calls.
This year, I urge people to attend public fireworks displays, consider drone shows, or watch celebrations on TV instead of setting them off in neighborhoods where it is illegal.
Your celebration may be someone else’s trigger.
Please think of others this Fourth of July!
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