To think fireworks and firework displays should become a thing of the past?

[Spockynocky]

I love fireworks but if we are all being asked to do our part regarding the climate crisis I think councils should stop putting on displays and fireworks shouldn’t be sold for home use.

They’re wasteful in terms of cost when councils struggle to remain solvent. They’re a hazard both physically and psychologically for wildlife and pets.

They look pretty but so do a lot of things that are damaging the environment. I think councils should use the fact that for the last few years covid restrictions have meant displays have been cancelled to make this permanent. The bonfires at these displays are also damaging to the air quality and wildlife. I think we need to change how 5th November is remembered. I also think that Light Nights also are so wasteful. Especially with the cost of electricity. Our council have just put one on with the theme of Back To Nature. It seemed rather incongruous to celebrate the natural world which is under threat from mans use of fuel to light up the city.

I love 5th November and light night. They brighten a miserable time of year but think they’re no longer viable or responsible.

YABU. It's a few nights a year. However, I do think that they should be for organised displays only and not sold to the public.

If you think banning firework displays will make one jot of difference ecologically or economically then you’re mistaken. By that rationale ban Christmas lights and arts festivals and all the other things that councils do to enrich communities.
Personally I wouldn’t be against a ban on loud fireworks as they do scare animals, but fireworks are a thing of beauty and bonfire night is my favourite yearly celebration.

I don’t think it’s unusual in the country. I’m happy with organised displays but do think there should be restrictions on who buys them.

I think they should be banned from public sale, but I'm fine with organised shows, and I say that as a pet owner who lives very close to the biggest display in my city.

I can prepare my pets for one night, but its the random ones that people set off that are stressful for pets!

I see your point ,but often these sorts of things are suggested by people who have enjoyed them as children themselves,and have grown up DC now therefore no longer important to them .A bit like why do we still have 6 weeks summer break threads .Fireworks are not great for the enviroment ,however they are limited to a few nights of the year ,not all day every day!

however they are limited to a few nights of the year ,not all day every day!

But that's not true for every area. Round here it goes on for months.

Bonfire night is a part of British culture. No it shouldn’t be removed. Be responsible and keep your pets safely indoors.

I don't think fireworks should be banned altogether, but I do agree with organised displays only. I don't think the general public should be able to buy them. On the cost to councils point - we have to pay to attend our local council display so I assume that covers the cost?

@Fourstronghocks

And good point above from pp about motor sport. The amount of noise and disruption caused to wildlife by motocross every weekend is far worse than any properly organised firework display which, by definition, are generally few and far between and only 20 to 30 mins long if that!

And fireworks displays are getting more environmentally friendly all the time with the use of lasers and drones etc.

But motor sports are in a defined area. Whilst disruptive to any animals who decide to set up a nest in that area, most would decide after the first weekend to abandon the area and go elsewhere. A farmer knowing there was a motor sports venue nearby will not plan to put ewes in lamb next to the perimeter. It is because it isn't very often or predictable that it is so shocking to wildlife.

Quieter fireworks, only organised displays or at least have to apply for permission and in relation to a recognised reason so Diwali, Chinese New Year - might be smaller displays than Bonfire night (in some areas) but still fine. Dave's 64th birthday not really reaching the threshold for holding fireworks display.

@Whitney168

(I'm a dog owner, so clearly biased) I appreciate that a ban would seem unfair, but I think we are long past the time when they should have been strictly limited to licensed public displays only and the permitted noise levels vastly reduced.

Every bloody year you have people setting off things that sound like bombs in their tiny back gardens - what could possibly go wrong ... ?

I hate them, and my Jack Russell is terrified of them. If it was one night only fine, but it’s been going on for the last three nights now, and will continue until they run out of fireworks. Then we get new year….. Public displays only, if we absolutely have to….

Where I live, the local animal charities get loads of calls from the public every year relating to fireworks, including for injured animals, missing pets, and even animal abuse involving fireworks. Animals can get spooked, while some of us may think of this as mainly impacting cats and dogs, it can be a huge issue for horses if they get spooked.

For that alone, I'd happily have registered events only.

I agree with the ban on sales to the general public but I think a public display once or twice a year still gives people the chance to enjoy fireworks safely and isn't going to have a very big environmental impact.

@Dontgetyerknicksinatwist

I’m so sick of this growing movement that think they have the right to restrict what other people do. This is just one example of that. Next it will be banning people from eating meat etc

This. I've never been interested in firework displays but FFS they're a tiny bit of fun. Why are some people so anti freedom and fun.

I’m so sick of this growing movement that think they have the right to restrict what other people do

I think restricting the sale of fireworks for home use might be sensible, but do agree with this to an extent - with covid and climate change there definitely seem to be a kind of new Puritanism creeping in. Reminds me of that recent Ipsos poll where 26% said they wanted to permanently ban nightclubs and 19% wanted a permanent curfew.

Personally I can’t wait for our local organised display - it’s been absent for several years now due to a combination of health and a safety and covid and I was worried it might never return. And the our borough’s Christmas Festival of Lights is one of the most joyous community events of the year.

I don’t think they’re a particularly material problem for the environment but I do think they should be banned from sale to the public. Already since last weekend or maybe slightly before we’ve had people locally setting them off and it will continue until after Bonfire Night/Diwali. We often have issues with antisocial behaviour and fireworks in my town as well.

I'd be delighted if they were banned. I've never been a big fan but I absolutely hate them now. What bothers me most is that there is no opt-out. People, wildlife and pets who find them terrifying, often fatally, can't opt out of hearing them. They are inflicted on everybody and everything in a miles-wide radius. They have got so loud that just staying indoors with the TV or radio on louder than usual does nothing, they are still incredibly loud. There are alternatives now that could be just as enjoyable, for example light and laser shows played to music, and don't have such a negative effect on everybody and everything else. Just what is so enjoyable about heading huge explosions? I just don't get it.

@Whinge

however they are limited to a few nights of the year ,not all day every day!

But that's not true for every area. Round here it goes on for months.

In my part of the country they're used all year round, pretty much every night there's fireworks going off for Asian weddings, with the last set going off at midnight.

If you're after banning the sale of them for Bonfire night then you just also ban them for New Years even and Asian weddings. How well do you think that'll go down in the Muslim community?

*hearing

I have no issue with banning the sale of explosives to the general public. Sometimes limiting “rights” is the safest option.

@Sirzy

I have no issue with banning the sale of explosives to the general public. Sometimes limiting “rights” is the safest option.

Good luck with that.

If you're after banning the sale of them for Bonfire night then you just also ban them for New Years even and Asian weddings. How well do you think that'll go down in the Muslim community?

Unfortunately, they'd just have to lump it, like everybody else.

Why are some people so anti freedom and fun.

You sound like a stroppy teenager. Just on Halloween in 2019 Thames Valley police had 160 calls about fireworks, mostly due to teenagers misusing them and doing things like this. Add that sort of behaviour up over all the days and the whole country and it’s a lot of burden on police and the public.

Many things are bad for the environment, do you want to ban every household that has their house covered in Christmas lights for weeks. Fireworks are one night, once a year. Stop being a killjoy.

@Waspsarearseholes

If you're after banning the sale of them for Bonfire night then you just also ban them for New Years even and Asian weddings. How well do you think that'll go down in the Muslim community?

Unfortunately, they'd just have to lump it, like everybody else.

Or pay for a proper license company to come in and do it properly!

I think they should be restricted to public displays on bonfire night and new year and that's it. I also think there should then be people who go and pick up any leftover debree and make sure they aren't held in wildlife rich areas or farmland.

However I would like to see detailed reports on fireworks contributing to the climate crisis. It must be a miniscule amount compared to people happily driving everywhere, jetting off on holiday and let's not mention china's emissions.