Limit the sale and use of fireworks to organised licensed displays only.
I signed this government petition a long time ago, looks like it is going to be debated on 8th November.
In my view, too many people are horribly injured every year by fireworks they have managed to purchase from the supermarkets and online.
Hate sounding like a moaner, because I like fireworks but it's that time of year when they seem to be going off for about a month, not just on 5th November. Apart from people being injured, some children and adults find them really distressing, as do animals when they continually hear them outside their homes continually. People with postage stamp back gardens, seem to think it's ok to blast their neighbors with these relentlessly. Last year I spent ages removing about 100 cartridges from my garden from the people behind us, they went everywhere, my car was also damaged by them.
I love a proper display, on an autumn evening, with a hot beverage and food being served, very autumnal, but not whats been going on for the past 10 years or so.
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
People never seem to think about the remnants of the fireworks and where they might land.
I do feel that displays are certainly the way forward. Living right in the country, we don't get many, but there is always the danger towards animals - cattle and sheep too.
My daughters friend is taking her little 2 year old to a silent display. It is a light show basically without the loud scary bangs that some kiddies find too overwhelming.
Yes Bella, I agree with you. Licensed displays would be better and safer, a chance for a social event where you can be with friends and family, communicate with people etc.
"I am doing the best I can with what I have in this moment; and that is all I can expect of anyone including me"
Love the idea of a silent light show, progressive thinking at it's best. There are so many different types of pollution, noise pollution is just one of them - such a noisy world.
Yes Linda, a nice social event around a bonfire bringing in the Autumn
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
Tonight we've had a note through the door from the school we live right next to informing us that they have a firework display tomorrow evening in the field! Although I'm glad they've given us some notice, I wish they'd put signs up before now so that pet owners could make arrangements .... we've lived here for 29 years and they've never had one before, now we have a skittish young dog, they're having a bloody firework display . I think I'll have to call the kennels tomorrow morning and ask if I can get him booked in for the night - it's up in the hills away from houses so hopefully it'll be peaceful for him. Ban the damned things - I agree that organised displays are better than individual garden parties, but they still affect the people who live nearby & their animals.
That's a good point Jax, even the organised events are going to upset people who live near them... now I'm thinking total ban would be the right way.
That's just typical Jax, the year you get a dog, they have a fireworks display. Could you not go to the school and say thanks for the note but I oppose your fireworks as it's a residential area? Animals are terrified of these noises, they have acute hearing too, 20 times more than humans if i'm right.
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
I am thinking that I'll drop them a note saying they should have given more notice so people could arrange to be home with their pets etc (this thing must've been arranged for months, the day before is just not enough notice in my opinion). I think the reason they let people nearby know was because they're hoping we'll go along and pay £6 per head entry! We have 2 choices really, to medicate him with a sedative which I bought from the vets just in case, but really don't want to use unless absolutely necessary because I don't know what effect it'll have on him and it could make it even more traumatic, or ship him out to the kennels where we know he will be safe & it'll be quiet. I think the latter is the best choice for him, he's been really good with ignoring the odd firework in the distance but a full blow display a stones-throw away might set him back considerably so kennels wins I think.
I really feel for you over this Jax. Your pets are family and it's a genuine worry for all pet owners. I would also worry about a sedative and the latter would be better. I expect there are other people living near you facing the same problem, it's frustrating when you can't do anything about it and you have to do things yourself because of others lack of thought. I agree, a note the day before is not good enough. Any chance of rain tonight?
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
He's gone off to the kennel and I have dropped them a polite email asking the to give more notice if they decide to hold the event again. Hopefully he will have a peaceful night up in the woods
I love to watch fireworks but do they need to bang? I also believe they should only be allowed at organised displays. Far too many accidents have occurred over the years. I still remember the rules being discussed on Blue Peter about how to store fireworks in a tin, etc! 2 years ago there was a huge spat on our local Facebook page after someone announced 30 minutes ahead of letting off fireworks on Halloween. A lot of dog and horse owners were going mad with the poster who was new to the village. The language got extremely unpleasant. Telling your neighbour to f*** o** back to where you came was not in my opinion the wisest chose of words even if you are angry. I hope your pooch has a nice little holiday Jax and comes home with a waggy tail.
Jax, I'm really pleased that you have managed to get your dog into the kennels. I feel really sorry for strays that don't have anywhere to go. One of our cats used to hide upstairs in the wardrobe. One granddaughter used to get really upset with loud noises, even the hoover would send her running in the other direction. She used noise cancelling headphones for bonfire night. She doesn't seem bothered now. I haven't heard any fireworks yet, we have a few organized displays advertised so maybe there will be fewer family displays.
Trisha
You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. C. S. Lewis
We definitely made the right decision, it was a spectacular - but VERY noisy - display which would definitely have freaked him out. We had a great view from our garden - there must have a few thousand pounds worth of fireworks and despite being a bit grumpy that they didn't give us more notice, I am so relieved they told us it was happening so we could make last minute evacuation plans. Just hope all the other dogs & cats who live nearby coped ok.
One of my earliest memories was when I was about 3 years old and we stood on our back doorstep watching the people next door having a bonfire and some fireworks in their garden, then when we went back indoors my dressing gown had a burn in it (it was polyester or some other man-made fabric which was popular in the 60's) and my mum was horrified - must have been a spark which drifted over. Funny the things you remember!
Had your little dog been to that kennel before Jax? and is he home again and happy? It's getting to the weekend and I'm hoping none of your neighbors decide to have fireworks.
Big day tomorrow Jax
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
Actually he was already going to be there for the weekend, so luckily they were able to accommodate him for an extra day. He's only been twice, and both times I've felt guilt about taking him, but having seen how excited he was when we got there and how he happily trotted off licking the young lady who will be looking after him during his stay without a backward glance, I think he'll be ok.