Fireworks

@blondiescot

I would ban the sale of them to the public completely. Every year they cause untold misery to countless animals, not to mention the distress they cause to many people too, such as PTSD sufferers and many who are on the autistic spectrum. Complete and utter waste of money, bad for the environment etc too - I could go on and on. I find it ludicrous that we have so many health and safety laws in place for so many things now, but still some people seem to find it acceptable to sell explosives to any old Tom, Dick or Harry. If it was just one night, it would almost be tolerable, but it goes on for weeks.

I'm here with you on this. My dog runs around the house barking his head off because he's distressed but there's nothing I can do about the people in the next street setting these bombs off at all hours of the day and night.
Where I live (in Birmingham, UK), in my local area the fireworks usually start around Halloween but this year it was Diwali and they've been going off every night since and if recent years are anything to go by, we'll be hearing these disgusting things scaring our pets etc until at least new year. Sometimes they are set off as early as 3 in the afternoon, like someone did here a few days ago (I was confused at their logic because it was still broad daylight) and regularly go on until the early hours of the morning, for example, there were still loud bangs going off at 2.27am this morning.
Several years ago my partner and I had an aviary with about 25 expensive parrots in it, at the bottom of the garden and a neighbour on the street that backed onto us had a fireworks party which woke our birds who naturally shot up into the air in an attempt to escape the scary noise but many didn't realise they were in the aviary because they'd just been woken up and they were terrified of all the bangs, unfortunately they hit the roof at speed which broke their necks. Needless to say, we walked into a terrible sight the following morning when we went to feed them. We found at least a dozen of our precious (both emotionally and financially) birds dead on the floor with broken necks.
Having experienced this, all because someone thinks it's good to set of what today seem more like small bombs than fireworks, with absolutely no regard for people's pets, wildlife, people with anxiety and other health issues that could be exacerbated by the noise of these dangerous things, I'm all for banning them.
A couple of days ago I received something from the rspca asking me to contact my local MP supporting their request for the government to change the law on the sale of fireworks, reducing the volume of them and possibly introducing licensing in order to be legally allowed to buy them. I don't normally have anything to do with the rspca because I disagree with their practices and ethics but on this case, and this case alone, I agree with what they're asking the government to do. I've looked for the link that was in the email but I've completely deleted the email and it's gone from my history otherwise I'd have posted it here for others to use if they agree with lobbying government for these restrictions.

Off we go again. My poor little dog is terrified.
They need banning, it sounds like bombs going off.

Whitewavemark2

As a family it is one of the traditions that we keep up every year.

Have done since I was a child. Short break with covid.

So tomorrow, it is the chimnera and roasting marshmallows.

It is tray baked sausages, sticky chicken, squash, red onion, mushrooms and broccoli

Sticky toffee pudding and ice cream

Non-alcoholic punch - hot spiced apple

And then we all pile out into the garden for the fireworks.

The GSs are 22 and 18 and bring their girls friends now. But they are still happy to turn up🙂

All that has changed over the years is the menu and bonfire.

The dogs join in - well usually doze by the fire. Our dog used to be frightened and was molly coddled by the other dogs and now he happily does his own thing.

Please can I join you next year? Sounds wonderful 😊

Mumtoni

Im in total agreement n don't think your a miserable old buddy at all, at the end of the day they cost a bomb, they are really bad for the environment n my poor dog shadow is absolutely petrified of any noise from them, he shakes so much, and also why are we celebrating someone who tried to blow up parliament! Personally I would get rid of them totally, now who sounds like the mishog...n I don't give a fig😂

It isn’t celebrating Guy Fawkes, it’s celebrating the failure of his Gunpowder Plot and the demise of Fawkes. It’s all really grim and sinister history, but of course most people don’t think about that and just enjoy the fireworks.

I would ban them except for well-regulated public displays.

Im in total agreement n don't think your a miserable old buddy at all, at the end of the day they cost a bomb, they are really bad for the environment n my poor dog shadow is absolutely petrified of any noise from them, he shakes so much, and also why are we celebrating someone who tried to blow up parliament! Personally I would get rid of them totally, now who sounds like the mishog...n I don't give a fig😂

Im all for a total ban on public sales unless you get a licence. Apart from the noise and debris causing huge issues to wildlife and the trauma to pets, the vile acts of depraved cruelty that are carried out on pets by disgusting sick individuals and gangs on pets isn't worth anyone's 20 mins of pleasure in my opinion. We have moved to the North from the South of England and every year there were stories of pets having to be euthanised during to having fireworks tied to them and also horrific cases where fireworks were inserted into their mouths and anus. Fireworks are available for weeks before firework night and we used to hear them being randomly set off before and after the 5th. We live in a village now and don't hear anything but know there are organised events in nearby towns.

I'm not keen on fireworks but don't mind too much the ones which are mainly visual and don't make loud bangs. I was once in Shetland in midsummer and it was strange to see fireworks being let off late at night, because they didn't show up much against the sky, which was hardly dark. I remember being at a display in a town near here and being told that some of the fireworks being let off included the ashes of a local person who had a lot of community involvement.

They don’t only allow silent ones in Italy, a few towns have changed, the majority of celebrations, feast days and festivals still have noisy ones, including the infamous firecrackers.
Rome has banned them, but it’s generally ignored.
www.wantedinrome.com/news/rome-bans-new-years-eve-fireworks.html

I lost my dad day before bonfire night so I don’t like that big reminder but I also don’t like them for my son and daughter inlaw sake having both served in Afghan and Iraq a few times the banging of rockets reminds them of being out there and causes them and quite a few of their friends flash backs. But I do think waste of money and who as got money to waste nowadays for a 2 min wonder. Just ask a fireman if he thinks that they should be banned.

Think fireworks have got noisier over the years but they are spectacular. One of the best displays I have ever seen was in Denmark on midsummer night by a lakeside where they were reflected in the water.
Some years back I was walking my dog when some boys let off a banger. She slipped her lead and ran off. Fortunately she went home. She was in whelp but she was OK. After that whenever there was a bang she hid under the bed upstairs where she was normally banned

I love fireworks but I would much rather a display for sheer amount they cost to buy for a decent back garden display. In Italy they only allow silent ones which they play with music I believe.

You can buy them online all year round

My solution would be to allow any type of firework so long as it is virtually silent. They look so pretty and I entirely see why families want to make a lovely party out of bonfire night in their own garden, but I see no reason at all why there should be loud noises to upset others and terrify pets.

My son lives in Massachusettes where it is illegal for private citizens to use, possess, or sell fireworks in the state, or to purchase them legally elsewhere and then transport them into the state. The law prohibits any article designed to produce a visible or audible effect.

I think that is a step too far, but I see no reason why we cant ban private fireworks producing 'audible effect'.

Fleurpepper

All sales of fireworks should be banned to individuals. You should have to apply for licence. And those fireworks which are designed to make maximum noise, rather than colour/style effet, should be banned totally. When it used to be 1 or 2 nights around beg. of November, it was not too bad. but now it goes on for days, weeks, months even. Just awful, for people, pets, wildlife and birds.

If remember right, the fireworks only came into the shops got a couple of weeks before Nov 5th.

I adore fireworks, and while you may see a white haired 77 year old, really I am about 9 with long copper coloured hair. My father was very safety conscious, and all was done in the right way. He used to keep the clothes prop at the ready so that if the catherine wheels stuck he could get it going again. Have lived abroad and seen them used at different times. There will always be morons who misuse them and I do not see why the rest of us are denied the pleasure so that these idiots are stopped. I would like them all to be less noisy but not silent - love the fizz and sizzle of star bursts and golden rain etc. I do not want to have to listen to horrible loud pop music which unfortunately accompanies some firework displays. Whilst I would be prepared to have a rule about times or days that fireworks can be used, making it only possible to go to organised displays means those of us on limited incomes would probably not be able to go, and when you have a family of mixed ages, you can do the pretty ones first and take the youngest inside and then have bigger ones. I have a very bad back and could not stand and watch for very long. At home I can take a chair out or come inside when I need to. We need to have choice not restricted straightjacketed viewing. I still look forward with excitment to the beautiful fireworks and hope I always will

MissAdventure

The organised displays are louder than the back garden ones, though.

I'm not entirely sure about that - the ones which have been going off round about here have all been back garden ones and at times, it's sounded like World War 3 had begun! At least if it was only organised displays, people would know in advance and could make appropriate arrangements.

To be honest, I’m astonished that in the current economic crisis so much money is still being wasted on them.
It’s a good point, Startingover61, though is giving pleasure to someone ever a waste?

Then I look at the multitude of recently opened, well-filled cafés and restaurants in our town centre and wonder the same about the expenditure.

I wonder how much money has been spent (and burnt) on fireworks when there is such a cost of living crisis. I've always hated the expense but this year is seems even more bonkers!

I hate this time of year as fireworks are not limited to Bonfire Night but seem to last for at least two weeks. I don’t think they should be on sale to the general public, but be restricted to use at organised displays. To be honest, I’m astonished that in the current economic crisis so much money is still being wasted on them.

Fireworks going off is probably the most common topic of complaint and grumbles where I live. Mainly because so many people acquired designer dogs during the pandemic!
I have many happy childhood memories of family/friends garden bonfire night parties and wouldn’t want to deprive todays youngsters.
I do however hate the really loud bangs and think this type should be banned.

I love fireworks! I remember Guy Fawkes night as being one of the happiest and most exciting of the year with our own family fireworks and a large community bonfire when we got to see other peoples’ little displays. No matter how beautiful the organised events are, these family times are incomparable to me. In a world where the traditional Bonfire Night is rapidly becoming erased by the tacky, Americanised Halloween, it’s a shame so many want to make it yet another commercialised corporate event. I know fireworks can be dangerous if misused-it was exactly the same when I was young but the law was actually much more muscular then! I know animals can be scared, I have them myself and make sure they are appropriately calmed and shielded and, yes, it should be for one NIGHT only! But to take away these small family joys seems harsh and counter productive in a world where the nurturing comfort of family is often lacking and its absence pointed to as one of society’s greatest ills.

I'd love to see an outright ban. PTSD, injuries, animal trauma and death, environmental damage, and contribution to climate change. These things seem too hight a price for a few hours pleasure.

www.animal-ethics.org/how-fireworks-harm-nonhuman-animals/

www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/the-hidden-toll-of-july-fourth-fireworks

www.londonair.org.uk/londonair/guide/Fireworks.aspx

whering.co.uk/thoughts/sustainability-burn-out-how-unsustainable-are-fireworks

I love fireworks-the family who live near still come round for the box we buy and we have jackets, sausages, treacle toffee and parkin. I never make that any other time of year.
I do feel for pets. Our first dog spent bonfire night in the cupboard under the stairs, but our latest isn’t bothered. We keep her in because she would investigate them otherwise.
Then since we live at the top of a hill, We stand outside and watch displays in all directions, from a distance.
This year’s highlight-a pinwheel that actually spun for the whole time it was alight!

NB children in school seem much more aware of the dangers than we ever were, although whether that shows in their behaviour on Bonfire Night, I don’t know.

I love fireworks too. We usually go to an organised display as we don't have a garden just a small yard. .During Covid the display was cancelled, so we bought our own (a few little ones, no bangers in a box , and let them off on my large allotment , but we had a person coming to tell us she had rung the police, as she thought we were acting illegally , so we set the remainder off in our little back yard , to have the same thing happen again with someone else.It was the 5th November . It was our property , we had no bangers or big fireworks . I'm sure more people are getting grumpier about it! It's surely fine to let them off on your own property on the designated day .

The organised displays are louder than the back garden ones, though.