Fireworks

We used to have fireworks when my kids were young. A few of the neighbours clubbed together to but them and we all provided food. We took turns in each others gardens. Over the years the fire works became like damp squibs so we all went to organised displays instead and had the food thing at one of our homes. However the 1st time we went to organised displays, one in a Brithish Legion car park a firework tipped over and was shooting underneath all the cars. Never been so scared in my life! Then we went to one at the local scout hut and the same thing happened! After that we went to displays organised by the council. However like others have said fireworks are used for all sorts of occasions these days. I really think they should be banned from sale to the general public and only professional organised displays. you hear some awful stories about distressed animals and we all know better these days so there is no excuse! I love the idea of light shows with lasers and drones. Much safer and quieter!

I do love fireworks - they are part of a magical tradition, lighting up the autumn. I get that they are bad for the environment but so are so many of the things we love. If you take a short drive just for pleasure, enjoy the Red Arrows' displays or follow sport such as Formula 1 or those dirt bikes (which I detest, buzzing like hornets on Sunday) I can't see how it's reasonable to object to fireworks, on environmental grounds. However, my beautiful great big Goldie (sadly now deceased) was terrified of them and if someone did not sit on him when any fireworks were let off within earshot he ripped the house to bits. It would help if domestic fireworks were only legal on November 5th, so at least we all knew where we are. As for the danger, I'm sure there are more accidents and attacks using kitchen knives.

Nice to see someone has a sense of humour! But no joke at £9,000. I used to work with someone who did a rocket club for a local school - actual rockets and the science behind them. Maybe contact a school or college who would do it. They would probably appreciate a donation towards costs.

I could think of several folks I would like to attach to a rocket and light the blue touch paper …

Amry64

Just a comment "You" can't have your ashes made into a firework as you would not be here to do it! You would need to rely on those left behind to carry out your wishes - have it written into your will? There are schemes which put ashes into a small rocket and fire into space.

And thank you to neighbours for lovely displays of fireworks last night, I did enjoy it watching from inside. They seem to get better each year and not so noisy this time.

Good point.
I love the idea of the rocket into space (not for me; I'm afraid of heights) but it was around £9,000 when I did a bit of research.

MSSK

You can’t claim to be an animal lover and have anything to do with fireworks. Poor animals don’t understand at all. I’m sure the wildlife have a horrible experience this time of year too. Not that they are confined to no ember these days! They should be banned, no ifs or buts. I’ll never understand the appeal. We have never had a pet who thought they were fabulous

One AS’s dogs are nervy of fireworks and have mild sedation, they look so chilled and not bothered.

The other AS’s two dogs are in the garden with the family absolutely fascinated by them, not bothered in any way.

I would like to join in with the 'ban' on fireworks for the use for home and have them restricted to organised displays. My animals are so scared and if it was for one night would be tolerable but it isnt. My mum, many years ago had a jumping jack firework land at her feet whilst she was pregnant and nearly lost my brother but lost his twin, so I appreciate the danger with them.
Near to where I live is a childrens play park and this has been used by a neighbour for their own firework display. They use large loud fireworks and one went awry and took off sideways. Thankfully no one was hurt but people were out walking their dogs as this was early evening and the consequences could have been alot worse.
I appreciate the loveliness of the bright colours and that we do need to be uplifted, but let us please be sensible and think about others, the wildlife and the environmental impact..

They should be confined to properly controlled public display now; over the years it seems that fireworks have had to become 'bigger and better ' and therefore much more dangerous than the sparklers and small fizzy efforts we had in our garden. A local news programme showed an item where a local resident had filmed night after night of endless fireworks - evidently they are the thing to have now at weddings - and she said life had become impossible for her, and terrifying for her pets. Another less than sensible individual had let off some industrial fireworks in his front garden, and one of them had gone through the wooden garden gate, and narrowly missed a passer by.

Just a comment "You" can't have your ashes made into a firework as you would not be here to do it! You would need to rely on those left behind to carry out your wishes - have it written into your will? There are schemes which put ashes into a small rocket and fire into space.

And thank you to neighbours for lovely displays of fireworks last night, I did enjoy it watching from inside. They seem to get better each year and not so noisy this time.

Noiseless fireworks are the answer! I don’t remember them being so loud when I was a child- they’re like military shells nowadays

You can’t claim to be an animal lover and have anything to do with fireworks. Poor animals don’t understand at all. I’m sure the wildlife have a horrible experience this time of year too. Not that they are confined to no ember these days! They should be banned, no ifs or buts. I’ll never understand the appeal. We have never had a pet who thought they were fabulous

I am with you. I loathe fireworks, and always have. Apart from the fact that I suffer with hyperacusis and am very sound sensitive, I live in the countryside and care for horses and other grazing animals. I was horrified last night when a close neighbour started sending fireworks over. The horses are terrified of the noise and bright explosions above their heads and run into fences and gates, trying to escape them. I have been patrolling the fields this morning, picking up burnt out firework detritus. It is about time that they were banned. For those who will be outraged because 'the children enjoy them' I would expect children to be warned about the dangers and undesired effects of fireworks, and encouraged not to have them.

One of the larger supermarkets was selling silent fireworks this year - seems a great idea as some poor animals are so frightened. Redwings had to put down two horses last year because they were terrified, and lamed themselves, frantically galloping away from the noise. Our old dog loved fireworks - she would come out into the garden when the DC were small, and join in, running around and completely happy with everyone there to make a fuss of her. The sausages might have been a factor of course.

Silent fireworks are better, fireworks frightened pets, farm animals and wildlife and have a devastating effect on those with PDST, Autism etc as well as the pollution, just because we did it as children there is no excuse now we know better

Damn things are a nuisance. We have them blasting away in N.Ireland at Halloween as we don't celebrate Nov 5th. My dog is left terrified and can have an epileptic seizure with them.
They say people have no money for heating and food, but yet they don't mind wasting money on fireworks. My mind boggles.

I love fireworks, the bigger the better. I want my ashes to go up in one, making people smile and remember me.

I don’t mind the fireworks but until a reasonable time
There was huge continental very loud rockets going off at 12:30 am they went on for at least 5 mins and powerful especially loud in the quite of the night
That’s ridiculous !! I’m nursing a very old Sick dog, he was terrified I nearly jumped out of my bed at the suddenness of the noise, then spent an hour calming my dog, I imagine babies, and older people were disturbed too
Should only be for public displays and not on sale to the general public.. we should write to our MPs
fed up with this.

We had a bad fog last night. Not sure if it was bonfire related, but that's what people are blaming it on.
I can watch a very good firework display, at the nearby Racecourse, from my window. I was never very fond of setting off fireworks when the children were young. My family aren't really interested in them now they are all grown up.

I definitely think that the noise level should be drastically reduced. My windows were vibrating from the noise last night. Having an age restriction on sales doesn't seem to stop teenagers from getting hold of them and making a nuisance of themselves.

On the whole I'm in favour of a ban on selling them to the public. A flat in my area was burned out after a firework was thrown through a window and exploded, narrowly avoiding serious injury to the occupant.

I'm feeling grumpy about fireworks this morning, because there were two very loud bangs around 1am, waking me with a jump, and I couldn't get back to sleep for ages.

FannyCornforth

My little dog Gracie now has her own Valium from the vets to take
(I used to give her 0.5 mg of my own).
She has also had Celeogel in the past, but it doesn’t actually touch her absolute terror.
I have often been scared that she would have had a heart attack.
She is now prescribed between 2.5 - 5mg a night.
She had her first dose last night.
It’s horrible having to drug your animal.
I close all the curtains and shut the doors to try to sound proof things at 5pm.
It is pretty much non stop here now until January.
I could weep

It is so distressing when you can’t help them. My lovely old dog used to hyperventilate with sheer terror but now at 16 1/2 is totally deaf. Another dog we had would go to the top of the house with me and sit on a chair watching the fireworks going off all around us with no fear at all.

The last firework I heard, one of those that could wake the dead went off here in Bristol just before 1am this morning. I’m all for organised fireworks and we do have lots, but not that late. They’ve been going off here all week and we’ll probably have them for the coming week.

Fanny….I hope your gorgeous little dog Gracie is ok today.

A friend left money for her ashes to be turned into fireworks, it was a lovely evening with Handels firework music. She made quite a lot of fireworks!

I love fireworks and wouldn't welcome yet more restrictions to our civil liberties

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.

Spot on, you have summed the situation up perfectly. There are so many people dreading this time of year and so much suffering all round. But it would require a huge movement to make the government change the law on fireworks. People have been grumbling about them for decades but nothing happens.

I think the sale of them should be banned.I feel sorry for pet owners,or people who are nervous.There weren't quite so many last night as in the past,people probably can't afford them,but some were very loud.People can go to organised displays if they want to see fireworks.

Yes and maybe the organised displays need a few rules & regs too- about distances & safety etc?.so folk dont get them landing near or on them.?

JdotJ

How fortunate everyone is whose pets are not in the slightest bit bothered by Fireworks.

Our 9 year old Bichon has to be heavily medicated with a drug called Sileo, prescribed by the Vet - cost £77, a price I am more than prepared to pay to ease her suffering but its heartbreaking watching her.

Hi! Gracie is a bichon / Tibetan Spaniel cross.
I’ve had Sileogel dozens of times before, but it doesn’t really seem to work.
You get through it so quickly too. I could get through a tube in two, three days.
She’s on Valium now.
In desperation I’ve given her some of my own in the past.
She now has it from the vets.
She had 2.5 mg on Friday, and the maximum dose of 5mg yesterday.
It was £42 for 5 x 5mg tablets.
I hope that you both were okay yesterday x