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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be furious about fireworks?

183 replies

Mamaof1DD · 29/10/2023 21:34

I’m not opposed to them on bonfire night, or even the weekends around bonfire night, but WHY do people feel the need to set them off in the days (weeks!) running up to bonfire night?

DD is 5 months and an amazing sleeper, but has been woken up four nights running by fireworks!

Luckily, our dog isn’t scared of fireworks so it’s not a problem for her, but I know a lot of pets are terrified.

AIBU for being annoyed that people are setting them off outside of the approved (by me!) times and days?

OP posts:
fluffypotatoes · 29/10/2023 21:37

It's the same thing every year though. The weekend before and after the 5th. Nothings changed.

UnderwaterSpaceCadet · 29/10/2023 21:38

Don’t ever move to Sussex - bonfire / firework season starts at the end of September here.

NoItsStillNighttimeDarling · 29/10/2023 21:39

My dogs hate them and I absolutely dread this time of year - as you say if it was just one night it wouldn't be too bad but it can go on for weeks!

justanotherlaura · 29/10/2023 21:40

We had the same last year, every night from the 18th October right through until at least a week after bonfire night. My poor dog was beside herself. There was even some at 4pm some days, how was I supposed to take her out before they start when they're so early?

We've moved cities this year and not heard one yet. Really hoping it'll stay that way except for a few nights around the 5th

Beezknees · 29/10/2023 21:40

It happens every year so YABU to spend every year annoyed by it.

bellac11 · 29/10/2023 21:41

Kent and Sussex, more Sussex have a whole bonfire season, we try to see as much as possible

Im sure children managed to sleep through during all that.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 29/10/2023 21:41

This happens every year and someone complains about it every year. YABU

fluffypotatoes · 29/10/2023 21:41

Weren't the fireworks there every year before people got their dogs though. So they knew they'd happen.

SachaStark2 · 29/10/2023 21:46

It’s so stupid that they’re allowed for public use by anybody. They’re dangerous, and too many people either don’t care or are too thick to use them appropriately. As evidenced by the number who can’t read a calendar well enough to know that it isn’t Bonfire Night, Diwali, or New Year’s yet.

And the weekend before/either side thing is such bollocks as well. If you can’t stick to the day itself, then skip it this year, duh.

fluffypotatoes · 29/10/2023 21:48

SachaStark2 · 29/10/2023 21:46

It’s so stupid that they’re allowed for public use by anybody. They’re dangerous, and too many people either don’t care or are too thick to use them appropriately. As evidenced by the number who can’t read a calendar well enough to know that it isn’t Bonfire Night, Diwali, or New Year’s yet.

And the weekend before/either side thing is such bollocks as well. If you can’t stick to the day itself, then skip it this year, duh.

I agree they are dangerous and I also don't think they should be sold for public use in a supermarket etc but I don't see why they only have to be used on those days.

Isseywith3witchycats · 29/10/2023 21:48

in some places they are used to let the local drug users know the dealers have got new supplies in so not all of them are normal use of fireworks

SachaStark2 · 29/10/2023 21:50

I don’t think anybody is questioning their use on the actual nights where firework displays are customary. You can prepare for that with animals, etc.

But October 29th is not any kind of recognisable occasion for fireworks.

I don’t think anybody should be having to comfort pets, children and vulnerable people at unpredictable moments of mild explosions for the duration of two months every autumn/winter. Weird if you think they should do, tbh.

bellac11 · 29/10/2023 21:53

SachaStark2 · 29/10/2023 21:50

I don’t think anybody is questioning their use on the actual nights where firework displays are customary. You can prepare for that with animals, etc.

But October 29th is not any kind of recognisable occasion for fireworks.

I don’t think anybody should be having to comfort pets, children and vulnerable people at unpredictable moments of mild explosions for the duration of two months every autumn/winter. Weird if you think they should do, tbh.

You really need to read the history of bonfire.

In addition fireworks were used for partying before Fawkes was even born so there is no 'set night' in reality

fluffypotatoes · 29/10/2023 21:54

SachaStark2 · 29/10/2023 21:50

I don’t think anybody is questioning their use on the actual nights where firework displays are customary. You can prepare for that with animals, etc.

But October 29th is not any kind of recognisable occasion for fireworks.

I don’t think anybody should be having to comfort pets, children and vulnerable people at unpredictable moments of mild explosions for the duration of two months every autumn/winter. Weird if you think they should do, tbh.

2 weeks is fine though imo. Fireworks were around before the kids/pets so it's not like they are unexpected

MasterBeth · 29/10/2023 21:54

You are being unreasonable. Fireworks are fun.

LakieLady · 29/10/2023 21:55

UnderwaterSpaceCadet · 29/10/2023 21:38

Don’t ever move to Sussex - bonfire / firework season starts at the end of September here.

Yep, until the end of November. Plus birthdays, weddings - even funerals of people involved in the bonfire celebrations.

And they let them off in early hours of the morning when they all come back from bonfire events in other towns/villages!

Last night a few went off around 3am. I was half asleep and didn't know wtf it was for a minute or two.

SachaStark2 · 29/10/2023 21:58

But having multiple random nights of fireworks for weeks on end just isn’t practical in a modern world, neither in highly populated urban areas, or in rural countryside with farm animals.

The accepted understanding now is Bonfire Night = 5th of November for most communities in England, sans a few outliers.

herewegoroundthebastardbush · 29/10/2023 21:59

Mamaof1DD · 29/10/2023 21:34

I’m not opposed to them on bonfire night, or even the weekends around bonfire night, but WHY do people feel the need to set them off in the days (weeks!) running up to bonfire night?

DD is 5 months and an amazing sleeper, but has been woken up four nights running by fireworks!

Luckily, our dog isn’t scared of fireworks so it’s not a problem for her, but I know a lot of pets are terrified.

AIBU for being annoyed that people are setting them off outside of the approved (by me!) times and days?

It's Diwali. So it's not actually the wrong time, if you're a Hindu.

fluffypotatoes · 29/10/2023 22:00

SachaStark2 · 29/10/2023 21:58

But having multiple random nights of fireworks for weeks on end just isn’t practical in a modern world, neither in highly populated urban areas, or in rural countryside with farm animals.

The accepted understanding now is Bonfire Night = 5th of November for most communities in England, sans a few outliers.

For me the accepted understanding is for about two weeks around the 5th of November there will be fireworks. I hate the things. I witnessed an accident with one. But I accept they will happen and stay inside.

ItWorksBothWays · 29/10/2023 22:00

Our next door neighbours have 2 dogs that bark all the time all year round , frequently get through the fence and shit in our garden and we have to keep repairing the fence. They leave the dogs for hours each day so they go mad , nothing we can say makes them stop but every year for the past 3 years they’ve written us a letter instructing us NOT to have fireworks as the dogs get so distressed they have accidents and shake and they will have to be sedated by the vet etc etc etc - our ds is autistic and his birthday is early nov and he loves fireworks but hates crowds so we do a small box in the garden - this year apparently they will call 999 if we go ahead !!

herewegoroundthebastardbush · 29/10/2023 22:00

SachaStark2 · 29/10/2023 21:50

I don’t think anybody is questioning their use on the actual nights where firework displays are customary. You can prepare for that with animals, etc.

But October 29th is not any kind of recognisable occasion for fireworks.

I don’t think anybody should be having to comfort pets, children and vulnerable people at unpredictable moments of mild explosions for the duration of two months every autumn/winter. Weird if you think they should do, tbh.

Tell me you're white British with no interest in other cultures without telling me...

SachaStark2 · 29/10/2023 22:02

Dude, I literally referenced Diwali celebrations a couple of posts ago.

fluffypotatoes · 29/10/2023 22:02

ItWorksBothWays · 29/10/2023 22:00

Our next door neighbours have 2 dogs that bark all the time all year round , frequently get through the fence and shit in our garden and we have to keep repairing the fence. They leave the dogs for hours each day so they go mad , nothing we can say makes them stop but every year for the past 3 years they’ve written us a letter instructing us NOT to have fireworks as the dogs get so distressed they have accidents and shake and they will have to be sedated by the vet etc etc etc - our ds is autistic and his birthday is early nov and he loves fireworks but hates crowds so we do a small box in the garden - this year apparently they will call 999 if we go ahead !!

I'd write a letter saying at 7:00 on x day we will be lighting a box of fireworks. And take a photo. And then just get on with it.

ExtraOnions · 29/10/2023 22:03

Other than the local display (which was last night), I’ve not heard any fireworks going off yet.

In the 70s & 80s (when you could still buy bangers at the corner shop) it sounded like a war zone for weeks before Bonfire Night.

PawsisShady · 29/10/2023 22:03

MasterBeth · 29/10/2023 21:54

You are being unreasonable. Fireworks are fun.

Depends where you live doesn't it?
Fun wasn't having one put through an open window into my home and having to find the money to pay for the damage. I now don't open my windows any time around bonfire night

Or the woman that had one thrown in her car with her baby, or the police that get attacked by having them thrown at them every year
Or that people injure animals with them every year whether it's hedgehogs or tying fireworks to cats