Fireworks - why are they still a thing?

I live in Ireland. Private fireworks are illegal here, and public displays rare. Some twathead let a load of booming things off this NYE just down the lane from me, but that's the first time I've heard them in 25 years of living here. No one has died, children are not weeping in the streets due to lack of sparkly fire things. I love a good public firework display - as long as it's been publicised well in advance, it's away from livestock, safety measures are in place, and it finishes early enough for people to get a good night's sleep. I used to hate it in the UK when firework season started in October and went on until late January. I'm all for regulation, but not banning.

I really do dislike dog owners co-opting war veterans for their campaign for their mutts’ comfort.

Only 28 days until the Chinese new year. Not long to wait for some more fireworks.

As I do. And listen to a man who has an opinion, and his reason. And don't belittle him just because he's in a minority.

Our dogs are fine with fireworks too. We did the work early.

Just so you know, dogs can develop sound sensitivity for medical reasons. There are strong links between sound sensitivity and chronic pain in dogs. Traumatised rescues also struggle. It isn't a "training issue" if a dog is scared by fireworks.

They definitely have. Very frequent use here now.

100% this

The vast majority of veterans aren't triggered by fireworks. PTSD is pretty complex and doesn't present as someone being perfectly fine, hearing a loud bang and suddenly being turned into a gibbering wreck.

Roping veterans into the argument is even worse than roping animals into it. If you care about veterans, donate to a military charity.

Because they are fun.

Our dogs are fine with fireworks too. We did the work early.

This is such a weird post- It doesn’t really matter what you want since you don’t make laws. But also we can all imagine what a terrified person looks and acts like. We just don’t make decisions in our day to day life based on whether they might be impacted by them. That’s not normal, no matter what you want to think.

Condescending. Nice. For scared read seriously disturbed, can't sleep for severaj nights, flashbacks, etc.
Patronising too.
I started on this subject in favour - lovely display in London last night.
But when I see what the others who like then argue like, I feel different.
Bring on the bangless.

Agree OP. People who let off fireworks in their gardens are massive dicks. Usually thick, ignorant types who don't give a shit about the impact on wildlife. They should only be sold for licenced displays.

Dickheads were setting off extremely loud fireworks till 4am here. They should be illegal to set off after 12.30 on NYE, and 10pm any other night.

I appreciate some people are in sensory heaven but I personally like sleeping through the night!

Yes nobody’s letting fireworks off on the bus or on the train or in Asda. I’ve encountered dogs in all these places in the last week alone.

I love a good organised display for special occasions (though with the tech we have now why do we still need them??) but I don't understand why people feel the need to set them off in their back gardens all the bloody time. Boy cat was so terrified last night he hid under the bed for hours before we could entice him out.

I don't understand why people who buy them privately don't just take a few twenty quid notes and set fire to them. Same result after all although arguably less explosive in our new 2025 incredibly volatile world...

And yes I sign every petition going to ban them privately.

well You don’t do anything to address the problem of other people letting off fireworks do you? Sign a petition or 2 maybe. It’s not like you can do anything else

This type of prannet just wants to moan about fireworks and they'll use any excuse available to pin it on. If people really cared about animals so much they surely wouldn't eat them.

I’m not sure how you managed to come to the conclusion that no one in real life cares much, what with you having no idea what any of us do or don’t do to address the problem.

No but it feeds into my theory that no one really cares that much irl but get hyped up enough to go wildly aggressive on internet forums about them 😂

Wasn’t aware we had to pick one thing.

I enjoy paying and attending an organised display. I think they should not be sold to the public. London NYE ones were OTT in the current economic climate. Save that money for the supposed black hole £

Thanks Trixie I'll look that up.

Loving the idea of your pooch raising one brow Paddington Hard Stare style

Of all the things that traumatise wildlife, picking fireworks is wild

They are, but seeing as so many people seem to love fireworks then licensed displays a few days a year would be a compromise if the public were banned from buying them

Personally I couldn't stand and enjoy a firework display, knowing the trauma it was causing to wildlife. It's very selfish.