The Island County commissioners this week took a bold step when they approved several changes to Whidbey Island’s rural fireworks regulations.

This has been a hotly debated and explosive issue for years, both among the public and elected decision makers. Good arguments have been voiced on both sides, but ultimately we believe the commissioners made the right decision. These are common sense changes that pay respect to the wishes of fireworks advocates and critics alike, but also, and perhaps most importantly, they give the Island County sheriff the flexibility to temporary ban fireworks when weather conditions would make discharging them unsafe to people and property.

A person’s desire to celebrate the birth of our country or a new year is important, but it should never come at the cost of a person’s life or their home. All parties require a balance between fun and safety, and this is no exception.