On December 6th 2023 a group of charities welcomed MPs to a coalition event to discuss how firework legislation is failing the vulnerable in our society. Humans and animal welfare suffers when fireworks are used sporadically throughout the year.
The event was hosted by the ‘Fireworks coalition’ consisting of: Combat Stress, Help for Heroes, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, Battersea, British Veterinary Association, Cats Protection, Children’s Burns Trust, The Kennel Club, PTSD UK, Dan’s Fund for Burns, Assistance Dogs, Service Dogs, The British Horse Society, Redwings and Bravehounds.
The message from every charity was clear. The government needs to introduce tougher restrictions on firework use.“We call on the UK government to conduct a review of existing fireworks legislation accounting for their impact on human and animal welfare.”
The gold nugget to take from this is that the ‘human’ charities have joined with the animal charities. Stronger together.
The Firework Campaign is working closely with the BHS, RSPCA and Redwings.
We will keep you up to date with more from the Firework Working Group as it happens.
Fireworks Polls Show People and Charities Want a Ban on the Sales of Fireworks to the Public – Countrywide.
We’ve looked into polls around the country and what the people want. On average, around 85% of us want a ban on sales of fireworks to the public. And have been saying so for at least 20 years! And many charities are also calling for it.
All across the nation, poll after poll, people are fed up of fireworks and want sales to the public to be banned. We know they’re cruel, are a nuisance and that they are harmful for people, animals and the environment. You can see below that veteran, PTSD and other charities, as well as animal charities are asking for change too. So why is the government so out of touch and not doing anything? And the question now is not if we want them banned but why, in a democracy, are they not doing what the people and charities want? What is the real issue here and what is going on?
Write to your MP, share this blog and ask them. And ask who will put forward a Private Member’s Bill to get this through. Or if you have an MP who is in the government (see list here), particularly the Department of Business and Trade, please ask that they do what the people want. Now! You can sign the latest petition too.
Here is just a list of some recent polls that have come up in the last few days (Nov 2023), up and down and across the country:
The Mirrorhas polled readers. 87% want them banned
Nottinghamshire Live asked the same question of should the sale of them be banned to the public. A resounding 87% said YESthey want them banned.
Leicestershire Live again, same questions. 88% said they want them banned in public sales
Manchester Evening News says 90% want them banned
Wales Online says 75% want the sales banned to the public
LondonLovesBusiness reports on a poll done by RIFT, which shows that 78% want a ban
Combat Stress and Help for Heroesdid a poll of veterans and “74% of the veterans surveyed want to see the days and times when fireworks can be set off to be restricted further; whilst 67% want a reduction in the overall number of days fireworks can be sold to the public.”
Many people can feel concerned they would be ruining other peoples’ fun. Not so. The people are behind this, clearly. It is unambiguous. It’s outdated and inappropriate for any politician to say that banning fireworks ruins other’s fun, when clearly it is anything but fun for the majority. And it isn’t new. People have been polled over the years and have been saying the same thing as far back and further than 2006.
In 2006, in the Bolton News, a poll said 77% wanted a ban.
In 2020, Heart FM had done a poll and 72% of listeners wanted the same
In 2021, The Mirror also did a poll and 90% wanted them banned
In the 2021 parliamentary debate, when there were over 305,000 petition signatures, Elliot Colburn said he polled his constituents and out of 75,000, 89% wanted a ban on sales!
We seem so proud of our democracy, of our care for animals and people – and yet the people in parliament are not doing what we, the people are asking them to do. It’s time to ask, why is this not happening and how do we make this happen? To write to MPs, demand it of them. Complete every petition and keep writing. With recent reports of fireworks firing into crowds by accident and being used as weapons, some MPs are calling for change.
They may be concerned we’ll not want it. The opposite. The vast majority of us will be jumping for joy. So write to them and let them know so. And if they are worried about a black market, the polls indicate there won’t be much of a market wanting them anyway!
We wanted to call out quotes from some of the many charities demanding change. The Combat Stress and Help the Heroes article regarding their survey. It is wrong this goes on and isn’t stopped for the people that protect us, while the majority of the public are supportive of change. Out of respect for our service men and women as we approach 11th November, when sadly more fireworks will go off and cause distress.
“Ex-RAF serviceman Matt Neve, who has been diagnosed with PTSD, generalised anxiety disorder and depression, all attributable to his service, said:“One of my main roles was the loading and unloading of those that had been injured or killed in order to repatriate them. Unfortunately, PTSD developed from this, a trigger of which is sudden loud noise, flashes of light or explosions, as well as certain smells. So imagine what it’s like when these are combined in a small package set off by your neighbour. You physically shake with fear, sweat, and become so agitated that you don’t know what to do. Imagine what it’s like to get out your car just as a firework is set off and you grab your daughter and dive to the ground for cover because you thought you were back in a war zone. Imagine how embarrassing it is to accidentally wet yourself in front of your family, because that young idiot down the road launches fireworks at or near your house, or to be scared to leave your house in the evening in the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night and New Year.All of the above is what happens and has happened to me. It’s a reality of living with PTSD.”
James Needham, CEO of Help for Heroes, said: “Veterans tell us the sudden noises, flashes and smells caused by fireworks can leave them feeling nervous and fearful. Some can feel overwhelmed, others may be reminded of moments in combat and past traumatic events. That is why we are calling upon the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to commission an independent review of the current legislation, and to consider tighter restrictions on fireworks sales in England and Wales.”
Jacqui Suttie, Founder and CEO of PTSD UK says, “When you have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD or C-PTSD), any loud or sudden noise can be a trigger, leading to flashbacks, uncontrollable shaking, panic attacks, heart palpations and many other physical and emotional symptoms. That linked with the other symptoms of PTSD and C-PTSD such as exaggerated startle response, fear of sound (phonophobia), aversion to specific sounds (misophonia), and a difficulty in tolerance and volume of sounds that would not be considered loud by normal hearing individuals (hyperacusis) means firework ‘season’ in October and November or around festivals such as Diwali, New Year and Chinese New Year can be a hugely traumatic time for people with PTSD and C-PTSD.”
RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, Battersea, British Veterinary Association, Cats Protection, Children’s Burns Trust, The Kennel Club, Combat Stress, PTSD UK, Dan’s Fund for Burns and Help for Heroes are all campaigning for change and spoke to MPs in November 2022. Still no change. 5 debates in parliament, with 6 petitions over 100,000 signatures. Why?
If you want change and would like to support our veterans among so many others, DON’T GIVE UP. The government will have to listen. If not this, then the next. This could be a vote influencer in the next election. If you want to bring about change, you aren’t the only one. Most of the population agree.
Now is the time to write to your MP and ask them to push the Government to take drastic action. Reduce the number of days to just a handful a year, reduce the sound and ban the sale to the public. Or you can use the RSPCA template. There have been 5 debates, 6 petitions with over 100,000 signatures each, a Petitions Committee inquiry, polls all confirming what the people want – and the Government, in particular the Department of Business and Trade, who reviews the petition, needs to listen. Kemi Badenoch is the head of that department and MP for Saffron Waldon
Write to your councils asking them to change what they allow.
Share this blog in every group you are in on social media and in emails – particularly those not related to fireworks, to reach new audiences
Ask your friends and neighbours not to let fireworks off or if they insist to, at least use low noise fireworks which are available from most firework suppliers
Martin Lewis did a poll a few days ago asking, “Should fireworks be allowed to be sold for private (non organised display) use? … Many supermarkets no longer sell fireworks over safety concerns but private individuals can buy them elsewhere.” This is a broad mix of people who follow him, so a good, generic mix. 56,409 people responded. The results?
73% voted to “ban sales”. Only 27% wanted to “allow sales”. Out of 56,409 people!
This is not surprising. We’ve seen it in many polls over the years. Fireworks are no longer occasional. They’re allowed every day of the year until 11pm and some days until 1am. And they do go off any day of the year. They’re noisy, disturb the peace for many and are detrimental, damaging and deadly for many others, as we’ve covered in so many of our fireworks blogs. Why we’re not surprised?
Because we’ve had a massive 5 debates in parliament because 6 petitions reached over 100,000 signatures. Also over 1 million people have signed the change.org petition. Elliot Colburn, MP, said at the last debate, that he polled his constituents. 75,000 answered and 89% supported a complete ban of sales to the public. This is the current government petition to sign. We’re going to look into this more. But the question is this:
Why – when so many issues can get swiftly put through by the government to change laws, with far fewer or any petitions from the people – are these continually ignored? And the usual patter that they think they are used responsibly. What is going on? Why are the people not listened to?
Why not email your MP and ask them. Share this blog and ask if they can help. We’d be delighted to hear their thoughts.
The trouble is, if you look at the law, they’re used according to it a lot of the time. That’s because the law is so incredibly loose – any day of the year until 11pm – and is not up-to-date with a society which can get hold of them easily and at low cost. No wonder the government can say they’re used accordingly! You can hear some close by, that wake you in the night. If it’s before 11pm (when most have gone to bed), but you’re still asleep, the law allows that. Huh? Don’t we always read of the health benefits of sleep? If they are after that time, are you able to get out of bed, in your jim jams (!), run round all the houses and identify which house in probably miles around you, let it off? Really…?
With so many debates, so many petitions, the government could be hoping the public will go quiet. And this is a challenge. Why, when you signed 6 petitions and they didn’t come to anything, would you keep doing so? It’s like children to a cruel parent. Like Oliver Twist asking for more porridge but being repeatedly turned down. Is that what they hope will happen? Don’t we talk proudly of our democratic system, around the world? What kind of democracy is this? What kind of society allows people, animals and the environment to be continually punished – and when clearly the majority want change?
If you want change, DON’T GIVE UP. The government will have to listen. If not this, then the next. This could be a vote influencer in the next election. You are not in a minority. The opposite. If you want to bring about change, you aren’t the only one. Most of the population agree.
Share this blog in every group you are in on social media and in emails – particularly those not related to fireworks, to reach new audiences
There have been 5 debates, 6 petitions with over 100,000 signatures each, a Petitions Committee inquiry and the Government needs to listen. Now is the time to write to your MP and ask them to push the Government to take drastic action. Reduce the number of days to just a handful a year and ban the sale to the public. Or you can use the RSPCA template
Write to your councils asking them to change what they allow.
Ask your friends and neighbours not to let fireworks off or if they insist to, at least use low noise fireworks which are available from most firework suppliers
The impact of fireworks going off randomly in this country has such a broad impact. We’ve tried to cover some of those impacted by fireworks in our blogs, including some with PTSD, war veterans, those with assistance dogs, as well as the devastating impact on wildlife and the environment. Fireworks – and their increasing and random use, along with an outdated and loose legislation that allows them every day of the year in the UK – are not inclusive and out of date in a modern society that respects the different needs of members of its society. What we’d like to highlight in this blog is the substantial impact on lifestyle and mental health for pet owners – while a few people who randomly set off fireworks ‘have fun’.
According to the RSPCA, fireworks are ‘bang out of order and frighten animals’ and they say that “Fireworks can be a source of fear and distress for many animals – in particular the sudden, loud noises. For example, it is estimated that 45 percent of dogs show signs of fear when they hear fireworks, and a New Zealand survey recorded 79 percent of horses as either anxious or very anxious around fireworks over the Guy Fawkes period. Animals affected not only suffer psychological distress but can also cause themselves injuries – sometimes very serious ones – as they attempt to run or hide from the noise.”
According to the PDSA, 53% of UK adults own a pet. So that’s over half the adult population – 10s of millions, who have pets and are likely impacted in some way. Even if one is lucky enough to have a pet that is not anxious, this can change swiftly if he/she is exposed to fireworks very loudly, suddenly and without their owner present for example. And so for many pet owners, they have to change their lifestyle patterns substantially in the winter months, when fireworks may go off as soon as it is dark. And particularly for the month around Guy Fawkes and Diwali (as, yes it is on-going and no longer just one or two nights), as well as New Year and increasingly, sadly Christmas. Due to the lack of tight legislation in the UK, fireworks can go off any day of the year, without warning – just because someone wants to celebrate a wedding, a birthday, a festival – with fireworks. They have become a nuisance and should be acknowledged so by changes to the law.
Examples of lifestyle impact and how the ‘fun’ of some causes stress for others and restricts their own rights:
A limitation on their right to walk when they want to: Many dog owners won’t go out after dark, particularly in the months around October/November and Christmas and New Year. One owner reports walking home on Christmas Day one year and almost being pulled over by their dog – as fireworks randomly went off. If you have a nervous dog, they could bolt and you may lose them. Or an anxious one made worse by going off when one randomly goes off. This means it impacts visiting friends, going out etc as well as the right to walk when you want to – and is extremely restrictive
Many can’t go out while those letting off fireworks can: Most pet owners need to stay indoors to comfort their pets. This applies also to pets not distressed, as they can become so if left alone. Owners have to do a whole series of things, such as closing curtains, letting the dog out before the fireworks go off, providing any medication that might help, putting on calming coats etc, as well as loud or calm music. This goes on night after night, week after week. And it often impacts new year plans, general social engagements but also important events such as visiting a sick relative. One is torn between caring for the pet and for a loved one
Simple events become stressful: Trying to work out when it is safe to let your pet out pre going to bed is incredibly difficult. Again, the random nature of fireworks use in the UK means no time is safe once it is dark. Even if you have a pet that is OK with them, if you let them off when a neighbour lets off a firework in their garden, you could well end up with a continually distressed pet, or one that bolts and injures themselves. One small charity this year posted on Facebook, asking people to update their dogs’ microchips. They alone – one small charity had 15 dogs come into them during fireworks last year, due to them bolting out of fear
A whole list of things are bought to try to ease the pet’s distress: A lot of money is spent on things like calming tablets, actual medication from vets, thunder jackets, diffuser sprays, collars. For pet owners, seeing your pet in such obvious distress is heartbreaking and they will do anything to try to help. But these come at a cost
Some owners watch on-going distress and behavioural impact: I remember speaking to a neighbour whose dog was so scared during and after fireworks, that she wouldn’t go out to do her business. This meant sadly, that the owner had nights and nights around the time – and for a long time after, when they had to clear up continually after their pet. For many owners, it is incredibly distressing, having to watch your pet absolutely trembling in fear – and having tried everything being unable to do anything about it. It is absolutely devastating to watch.
All of these have an emotional and mental health impact on owners.
Distress: It is heartbreaking and distressing for an owner to see their pet, despite best efforts, trembling, hiding, running upstairs, or even bolting and getting lost. The distress to an owner is immense. And is definitely not ‘fun’. And we are talking about this happening for millions of people up and down the country, for weeks and months on end
Death of pet: For some owners, they have had to suffer the distress of losing their pet. Many pets die each year, from heart attacks due to the anguish, or from bolting and running into something. This is devastating for an owner, particularly as it is unnecessary
Anxiety: For many owners, the whole period becomes a very anxious time. The stress of seeing a loved one in distress, having to prepare, cancel or balance out plans… Plus, if one is already living with a mental health or other condition, this can exacerbate and make things dreadful
Isolation and loneliness: Needing to stay home to keep their pets safe can for some, feel isolating and so the ‘fun’ of others can actually cause loneliness and isolation for many
The question here, is why are the needs of such a broad percentage of the population ignored, at the expense of the few who want to randomly let them off in their gardens? Why does our government continually chant that the rules don’t need changing, when clearly millions of people are adversely affected? And they sign petitions, write to their MPs and demand change.
If you want to bring about change, you aren’t the only one.
Share this blog in every group you are in on social media and in emails – particularly those not related to fireworks, to reach new audiences
There have been 5 debates, 6 petitions with over 100,000 signatures each, a Petitions Committee inquiry and the Government needs to listen. Now is the time to write to your MP and ask them to push the Government to take drastic action. Reduce the number of days to just a handful a year and ban the sale to the public. Or you can use the RSPCA template
Write to your councils asking them to change what they allow.
Ask your friends and neighbours not to let fireworks off or if they insist to, at least use low noise fireworks which are available from most firework suppliers
Under UK firework legislation it is legal to set off fireworks between the hours of 0700 and 2300 (extended to midnight for bonfire night and 1am for New Year, Diwali and Chinese New Year).
PLEASE write to your MP and let them know how animals are affected by fireworks. This is easy to do using the RSPCA template. There is a pre-written letter. All you need to do is fill in your details and click send.
IF YOU DON’T TELL THEM THEY WON’T KNOW
The RSPCA are asking for the UK Government to follow Scotland’s lead and introduce legislation for the following:
Limit the sale of fireworks for Bonfire Night from 29 October to 5 November and limit the days they can be let off. At present fireworks can be sold from 15 October to 10 November and this can prolong the period when fireworks are let off. The restrictions for the sale of fireworks for other traditional dates are only a few days.
Introduce firework control zones to provide better protection to vulnerable people and animals. Such zones are used elsewhere in the world. We feel they could be used effectively to protect animals, in particular in localised areas. An example is no fireworks being allowed near where horses are kept, sensitive wildlife areas, farms or zoos.
Introduce a licensing system for the purchase and sale of fireworks by and to members of the public. This would place a sensible limit on access to fireworks. It’ll require those wishing to purchase fireworks to attend a training course, improving safety and awareness of their impact. We’d like to see the impact of fireworks on animals and people form part of any training course.
Reduce the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks for public sale from 120dB to 90dB. Setting the limit at 90dB would be consistent with the approach in other countries. It’ll encourage manufacturers to design and produce quieter fireworks. We welcome the Office for Product Safety and Standards commissioning research into the noise levels of fireworks currently being sold to the public and look forward to seeing the results.
The concert was a wonderful display of reality showing that we are, and always have been, a diverse range of people. Within this diversity are people with varying reactions to fireworks. Some people love them but for some who have PTSD, autism, dementia, hyperacusis and for some children, they are incredibly distressing. For people with sensory issues or autism the unexpected loud noise and flashes of fireworks can cause anxiety and stress.
What the Royal Family did, by minimizing fireworks, was to INCLUDE those people to be able to both attend and hear the concert if they were living nearby. The drones that were used were so incredibly powerful at depicting messages and were far more gentle, so much more creative and interesting.
The other strong theme throughout is that we need to look after, and be considerate of, our planet and the natural world. What better way to highlight that than in the use of gentle, quiet drones which were beautiful, creative and impactful. Not toxic, loud fireworks which would distress any animals nearby – birds in the trees, animals in the gardens as well as wildlife and pets in the surrounding areas.
This is why we are so proud and grateful to the Royal Family for setting the example of diversity and inclusion, concern for the natural world and highlighting this with the considerate use of drones.
It’s a strong message to government to consider changing the laws around fireworks to become a more inclusive society, one that cares for the natural world.
To those who want change, we say, please keep going. The momentum is there with the signatures and the charities now pushing. Keep signing and sharing petitions, write to your MP, write to your local council, share blogs like these so that more people know others share their views.
Share this blog in every group you are in on social media and in emails – particularly those not related to fireworks, to reach new audiences
There have been 5 debates, 6 petitions with over 100,000 signatures each, a Petitions Committee inquiry and the Government needs to listen. Now is the time to write to your MP and ask them to push the Government to take drastic action. Reduce the number of days to just a handful a year and ban the sale to the public. Or you can use the RSPCA template
Write to your councils asking them to change what they allow.
Ask your friends and neighbours not to let fireworks off or if they insist to at least use low noise fireworks which are available from most firework suppliers
On New Years day my horse of a lifetime and best friend Talullah, who I had owned for 18 years, had to be put to sleep. This was a direct result of our neighbours letting off fireworks close by.
Talullah was usually reasonably calm with fireworks. Combined with the terrible weather that night, we thought that the risk of random unplanned displays would be minimised. However, we couldn’t have predicted what fireworks people choose to let off.
Tragically what was let off on New Years Eve was so terrifying to her that she ran blindly straight through a solid wooden fence. She came to a stop on a local road. The police attended and closed the road and called the emergency vet. I got to the scene (with my children in the car) to find my horse lying on the road. A horrific scene that I will never be able to forget.
With the help of a vet and police escorts, we managed to get Talullah up and home.
We tried to get her stable comfortable (sedated, painkillers, fluids and a rectal exam), as for a while we were hopeful that she might get through the shock, potential internal injuries and the colic that was caused by her terror.
By 1pm on New Years day she was seriously ill and was suffering. Despite the highest level of pain relief having been administered, Talullah was still in horrific pain and was shaking, dripping with sweat, falling over, and showing a heart rate of 120.
Under the vet’s guidance l did the only thing that I could for her and made her pain end, she was euthanised.
My horse of a lifetime is dead and suffered a horrific painful death and a massive vet bill. I can’t stop thinking about what I saw and how she suffered so horrendously, I keep seeing flashbacks, all so people can enjoy fireworks at home.
I am sorry to say it but this unnecessary suffering was a direct result of people setting off fireworks in their back gardens.
I completely understand that some people will have absolutely no idea of the potential damage and suffering that fireworks can cause, so my aim is to help those people to get a better understanding of the problem and explain why we have got to put a stop to the excessive use of fireworks near livestock.
“The Animal Welfare Act 2006 states it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any captive or domestic animal. Government advice is – Fireworks must not be set off near livestock or horses in fields or close to buildings housing livestock”
Furthermore “Section 4 of the AWA 2006 says
(1) A person commits an offence if—
(a) an act of his, or a failure of his to act, causes an animal to suffer,
(d) the suffering is unnecessary.”
The offence carries a fine of up to £20,000 and/or a prison term of up to six months. The Act is enforced by local councils, animal health officers and the Police.
We all totally understand that people want to enjoy fireworks, but was it really worth the pain and suffering that it has caused, just to have them at home?
In future, I beg you to please consider going to a well publicised, organised display, instead of doing one at home. There are so many displays at various times of the year for different religions and celebrations. Most of them are organised to raise money for a charity which is even better.
My heart is broken, we have lost our very much loved family pet, my horse of a lifetime gone forever for someone’s few minutes of gratification.
For the sake of the other animals and livestock, please can we come together to make sure no other animals suffer a horrific tragic death like my best friend Talullah did.
People can do better than this!
Some notes to help people understand and provide some insight as to the realities of fireworks and horses:
*As prey animals, horses have a heightened sense of awareness, highly sensitive to loud noises, strange smells and flashing lights. Naturally, their instinct is to flee when they sense danger.
*Even the calmest of horses can become extremely unsettled. When something is upsetting to horses or causes discomfort, the adrenal glands release a hormone called cortisol. Also known as the ‘stress hormone’, this prepares their body to react, resulting in significant and often dangerous behaviour changes.
*Stress in horses can very quickly cause serious digestive issues which lead to Colic. Colic is a serious, extremely painful condition that is frequently fatal.
*A horse will cope best in a familiar environment, keeping to his or her normal routine. So if it lives out, stay out. If it lives in a stable to stay in. Not all horses cope with living in a stable or being confined, for some being confined increases their distress.
*Sedatives can be purchased from a vet in advance, during working hours. This does not include weekends and bank holidays. The cost is typically around £50 for the stronger doses. Sedation only works for a set length of time and must be given in advance of the planned upset, or there is a risk that the horse’s adrenaline will override the sedation.
*Sedation is not something that is suitable for all horses due to age and other health conditions.
If you are considering having a display at home, please, please, please just stop and evaluate if it is really worth it?
If you got this far, thank you so much. Joanna Barnett
Please take a look at the following links. We are all desperate for the unnecessary suffering to stop. Please support
THE FIREWORK CAMPAIGN.
Editors note: What a terrible start to 2023 for Joanna, sadly Talullah is not the first, and even worse….she won’t be the last.
Please support our campaign to stop firework sales to the general public and keep them to well-advertised licensed displays.
As a society today, versus say 15, 30 or 50 years ago, there is a higher awareness of the need to include different people – and certainly not to exclude them. Companies, universities and organisations have DE&I (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) as key objectives within their cultures – and a lot of time and effort is spent on this. Even wider society is now more acknowledging of differences, that we are none of us the same. There is no ‘normal’, as everyone has a set of different preferences, needs, challenges and illnesses they are living with. These are often unseen.
Many people are adversely affected by fireworks and yet society does not include their needs in the lack of regulation we have around fireworks. I remember a lady who got in touch with us, whose husband is a war veteran. He almost died in combat and she finds it so distressing to see him go clammy and shake when fireworks go off. The sounds, the smells all trigger the distress. A young man who was involved in an explosion at a building. Every time fireworks go off, it reminds him of the blast and triggers the fear, the distress of a former traumatic experience.
The examples are never-ending and on different scales and to different degrees. For those that don’t suffer anxiety but find that when they go off day after day – as they did over Christmas and New Year last year in some areas – that the relentless nature of the bangs starts to become stressful. For pet owners it becomes a dreaded and upsetting event, watching their animals terrified. Frankly something as simple as needing to let them go out and do their business becomes a nightmare as you never know when one will go off, night after night. Trying to work out the best time to do it becomes like navigating a minefield. I know one lady whose dog is so scared she won’t go outside and so does her business inside the house – even for days after fireworks. The distress of the pet is one also passed onto the caring pet owner.
I have met people who are scared of fireworks and won’t go out at night over the winter months in case they go off, others who don’t like the noise. I heard from a mother whose daughter screams and asks for them to stop and can’t sleep because of them. Babies awoken from their sleep. Some people with autism, dementia, hyperacusis, PTSD, people who come to the UK from war zones such as Ukraine as well as those who simply want peace and quiet as they battle with other challenges of life. Why do so many people have to live like this?
What I have heard from people, such as the lady whose husband trembles in fear every time fireworks go off, is that they ‘don’t want to ruin other people’s fun’. I hear it so often. The people who suffer are concerned about those having fun. And yet I don’t hear many of the people ‘having fun’ considering their impact on those who suffer distress. It just seems totally wrong, totally outdated in a society where you can complain if your neighbour makes noise, where there is an appreciation that noise is distressing, that people should consider the needs of neighbours and yet the insane, out-of-date laws around fireworks, don’t include the needs of the so many for whom fireworks are frankly no fun at all. A neighbour having a party affects a few neighbours, the law supports us with that, but fireworks affect hundreds and thousands of people as the thundering bangs carry such a long way.
It’s simply NOT inclusive as a society to expect people as mentioned above to have to suffer, literally suffer, as the result of other people’s actions. Not when there is an easy solution to prevent it. It’s outdated and it belongs to the era of 50 or 100 years ago, not to today.
We have had debates in parliament over and over again. The MPs have put up good arguments that cross the needs of different people, animals and the environment. The government simply does not listen. But in a democratic society, governments do need to listen. They do need to be inclusive and should not allow the rights of a few to disturb the peace and calm of so many around them.
Sadly, it’s the weekend of November 5th and yet fireworks will continue around the country over the coming months. To those who want change we say please keep going. The momentum is there with the signatures and the charities now pushing. Keep signing and sharing petitions, write to your MP, write to your local council, share blogs like these so that more people know others share their views.
Sign and share petitions. This fireworks petition ends in Dec 2022 and is a recent one, so please sign and share to show support for those in society who have often stayed quiet about their pain
Share this blog in every group you are in on social media and in emails – particularly those not related to fireworks, to reach new audiences
There have been 5 debates, 6 petitions with over 100,000 signatures each, a Petitions Committee inquiry and the Government needs to listen. Now is the time to write to your MP and ask them to push the Government to take drastic action. Reduce the number of days to just a handful a year and ban the sale to the public. Or you can use the RSPCA template
Write to your councils asking them to change what they allow.
Ask your friends and neighbours not to let fireworks off or if they insist to at least use low noise fireworks which are available from most firework suppliers
Joanna Barnett
The Firework Campaign UK 