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.

Fireworks are one night, once a year

They really aren’t. I saw fireworks the next street over last night!

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.

Are these at home, or at the wedding venue? Lots of venues have professionals who come in and put on displays. It's a world away from the public buying them to use in their tiny gardens, or to cause criminal damage.

I actually really enjoy fireworks. We have a garden display and fire every year, and usually go to an organised one too. There's little enough joy in the world as it is without removing more of it. I also decorate for Halloween, go to pumpkin patch, and put my Christmas decorations up really early too including some lights in the trees in my garden. Many of you would bloody hate me, and quite frankly I don't give a shit. As someone up thread said I'm sick to death of people who think it's ok to try and put restrictions on what others do.

Are these at home, or at the wedding venue? Lots of venues have professionals who come in and put on displays. It's a world away from the public buying them to use in their tiny gardens, or to cause criminal damage.

They're at home, in the streets. They're set off when the wedding party reaches the family home.

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.

Back home where my family lives in the UK, motorcross takes place intermittently at various weekends throughout the year in a beautiful forest. Unfortunately, I don't think the wildlife can read the posters advertising the meets.

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.

As I said, I am all in favour of organised displays but don't think private use should be permitted.

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

For how long? I can keep my cats in for one or two planned evenings, but fireworks can suddenly start going off on 2nd, 7th, 8th Nov etc. And even when the cats are indoors the bangs really scare them. It's not uncommon for people to find their rabbits, guinea pigs etc, supposedly 'safe in their hutches', dead from shock.

They're at home, in the streets. They're set off when the wedding party reaches the family home.

In which case yes I think they should be stopped. Setting off fireworks in a residential street disturbing neighbours, causing distress to pets / wildlife and potentially causing damage to houses and vehicles just to celebrate a wedding seems selfish.

I'm sick to death of people who think it's ok to try and put restrictions on what others do.

But you’re ok with your actions restricting what other people can do, clearly. It’s just when it affects you that you get bothered.

Meat is much worse for the environment than once a year fireworks.
So I assume you'll be going vegan now op.
Normally I would say reduce, but you seem to champion an all or nothing approach.

Ah Jeez. Have we not had enough joy and fun taken out of our lives already in the last couple of years?

You really think fireworks are a major player in climate change??

I’d be happy to ban sale to private individuals, but let us have some organised displays please.

FFS. It’s like some people go through life just looking to restrict other people’s enjoyment.

@WitchyNameChange

I actually really enjoy fireworks. We have a garden display and fire every year, and usually go to an organised one too. There's little enough joy in the world as it is without removing more of it. I also decorate for Halloween, go to pumpkin patch, and put my Christmas decorations up really early too including some lights in the trees in my garden. Many of you would bloody hate me, and quite frankly I don't give a shit. As someone up thread said I'm sick to death of people who think it's ok to try and put restrictions on what others do.

You sound awesome and much more positive than lots of the people on this thread.

Bonfire night is a celebration. It’s part of our cultural history. If you don’t like it close your curtains. It’s your responsibility to look after your own pets in whatever way you deem necessary.

Oh get a life.

@TuftyMarmoset

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.

Because only kids want to have fun? Get real.

It’s like some people go through life just looking to restrict other people’s enjoyment.

Exactly. You should stop it. Because that’s what you’re doing.

@MiniTheMinx

I live in Lewes so no I don't agree with you.

@MiniTheMinx

Sussex wunt be druv.

I hate the bloody things. I'm in Ireland and for the full month of October we've got kids letting them off in parks, throwing them at people etc. My neighbour has a lovely rescue dog who was badly abused and she's so frightened of the noises, and it's not just for one night.

Exactly. You should stop it. Because that’s what you’re doing.

Oh don’t be silly and dramatic.

I love fireworks and ddog isn’t phased by them (maybe because he’s a gun dog?). I think that the fun fair and all the littering is probably more of a pressure on the environment than a bonfire and fireworks. Ours aren’t run by the council - usually rotary club or scout fund raisers so giving back to the community. I have many fond memories of walking from my granny’s house with all the family to the Carshalton dip.

Yes YANBU.

Every time any member if my family or myself steps in dog poo that’s a multipack of fireworks in the shopping trolley. Two multipacks if the poo is in my front garden. Let’s not ban fireworks, they’re beautiful and fun and communal and ephemeral and stop me from shouting at dog owners.

I don’t think they play much part in climate change, maybe banning plastic tat or lazy car journeys would make more sense.

That’s a strawman argument.
Penny for the Guy, then.

Can't believe so many people are saying they should be restricted to November 5 only. What about Diwali? It's not just bonfire night that is culturally important!

I believe you can get soundless ones now - that would be a lot better for animals and people with anxiety. So perhaps either limiting public sale to soundless only, or banning private sale altogether would be a decent compromise.

Public shows as PP said are often ticketed and bring revenue for councils. They're also well-publicised and usually just a few days a year. So perhaps public ones allowed for Diwali, NYE, Bonfire Night. Coupled with no private ones would be better for animals, wildlife, environment anxiety etc?

I would like them more controlled , the bigger ones at organised displays and smaller quieter ones for sale to the public .

Quite apart from the expense (just go and set fire to a few paper banknotes, if you can still find them - that's pretty much what you're doing), I'm astonished the government hasn't banned them yet. Unless I'm missing something, and someone cleverer than me can explain, aren't they small, powerful explosives?! I mean, what could possibly go wrong...

They're a nightmare for animals and many people with PTSD who've lived/worked in a war zone.

I love a good organised firework display as much as anyone, but there are good alternaties now, like the drone show Scotland did for New Year, or the silent fireworks in a few Italian locations.

Alternatives, FGS. Where's the ruddy edit button?!