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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:
pumpkinpie25 · 31/10/2023 07:05

Luckyduc · 31/10/2023 06:39

Thankyou! 👏

Your dog isn't terrified and neither was mine so all these folk who have terrified pets . ..its because the pets have no idea what the sound is and that the owners have made them terrified rather than train them to see that its an OK noise.

What absolute rubbish.

MayThe4th · 31/10/2023 07:49

pumpkinpie25 · 31/10/2023 07:05

What absolute rubbish.

Show quote history

Tbh I do think there is an element of truth there.

Not the fact that animals are afraid of fireworks to begin with, bt it is absolutely possible to feed a fear to the extent that part of it becomes a learned behaviour.
Like any fear if you give it attention then the individual (be that person or animal) who has that fear starts to associate that fear with something, attention, treat, positive reinforcement of some kind, and so the fear persists.

That’s not to say that animals who are afraid of fireworks aren’t genuinely afraid of them. But it absolutely is possible as a human to make that fear worse by our own actions.

I still detest fireworks and I still think they need to be banned fwiw.

But I do also think that we often need to look at how we respond to our animals’ fear of them.

pumpkinpie25 · 31/10/2023 07:57

@MayThe4th I have two dogs - both trained exactly the same. One is ok with fireworks, the other one goes berserk every year. Some animals are just conditioned to be more fearful. I'm sure some would improve with training but I doubt it would be successful for all.

And what about wild animals and birds who have nobody to train them out of this fear?

I just don't think it's justifiable to put so many animals (and humans) under so much stress for the sake of a few bangs.

Some the attitudes on this thread (especially the ones along the lines of parents/animal owners are usually selfish so they deserve it) highlight the absolute worst in people. I doubt they would say these things to anyone in real life but it's sad and quite shameful that they even think them.

Passepartoute · 31/10/2023 08:16

The simple answer is to legislate to require fireworks to be silent and ecologically friendly, and for it to be illegal to sell them to the general public. I'm sure hospital A&Es would be grateful.

mydogisthebest · 31/10/2023 08:22

Luckyduc · 31/10/2023 06:39

Thankyou! 👏

Your dog isn't terrified and neither was mine so all these folk who have terrified pets . ..its because the pets have no idea what the sound is and that the owners have made them terrified rather than train them to see that its an OK noise.

Can you read or are you just a complete idiot?

I will repeat my post for the THIRD time. I trained my puppy not to be scared of fireworks or any loud noises and he was absolutely fine. Then at about 6 I was walking him around 3pm so it was daylight and it was not around bonfire night when a complete and utter twat let off one of the fireworks that sound like a bomb just as we walked past. My poor dog, understandably, was terrified and tried to run away. How I managed to hold on to his lead I will never know.

He is 12 now and is terrified of fireworks and storms. Nothing I have tried has worked and he shakes in fear.

PloddingAlong21 · 31/10/2023 08:27

It’s because you’ve got kids you’re aware but this has been happening for years now. It’s annoying but doesn’t last forever.

CurlewKate · 31/10/2023 08:40

I'm torn. I hate fireworks for all the right reasons-waste, pollution, danger, animals. But secretly I LOVE them. This is the first year for 15 I'm going to be able to enjoy them because my little dog died and I don't have to crawl under a rug with her at the first hint of a bang......

Hollyhobbi · 31/10/2023 09:08

You don't live where I am in Dublin then. We've had the bloody things going off since August. And they'll be non stop this evening. Can't wait for the whole thing to be over.

TenderDandelions · 31/10/2023 09:59

I agree some dogs are more susceptible to fear of fireworks than others, but I also agree some owners haven't helped their dogs. My family have always had gun dogs. My gran's were always scared of fireworks, ours never were. The key difference was that as soon as a firework went off near my gran's house, she used to fuss and worry over them, to the point they picked up on it and learned they got lots of fuss if they kicked off over a firework.

My parents just used to turn the TV up and ignore it and the dogs just slept through them.

As I say, I do appreciate that not all dogs react like that, but with gun dogs they're more likely to be OK with them.

Lrnr16 · 31/10/2023 10:23

approved by you? Honestly, who do you think you are? The world does not stop because you have a child.

foremostwilly · 31/10/2023 10:32

I've never set off a firework in my life, but having carefully considered the representations on this thread, I'm going to order a dozen rockets.

Trinity65 · 31/10/2023 10:37

CherryMyBrandy · 29/10/2023 22:33

Oh bore off. Fireworks posts have been banned on our local FB page. Thank the lord. Fingers crossed they'll ban cycling posts too. 🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱

It's the same every year. Why anyone is surprised I don't know.

Ah ha

Completely agree with You

dottiedodah · 31/10/2023 10:39

Apparently Asda are stocking silent fireworks this year. So no bangs just bursts of colour. TBH there seem a lot less lately .

BeeDavis · 31/10/2023 11:32

You do realise that fireworks can legally be let off every single day of the year? Just suck it up like everybody else does. I have a child and a dog, it’s just life.

user1471538283 · 31/10/2023 11:37

Every year I don't understand why there isn't only organised displays like in Germany (when I lived there) or only silent ones for home use. I only ever took my DS to an organised event for Bonfire night. Local mosques in our city often have free events for one night for Eid. I don't understand why it is for weeks before and weeks after.

Even with the organised events, it is terrifying to small children and all animals. So many animals that live outside get into a panic and often die. I still mourn Hope the zebra.

Last October/November was particularly choice when we were living in an apartment and our upstairs neighbors let off fireworks in the street!

electriclight · 31/10/2023 11:40

Why oh why can't people stop doing anything that might accidentally annoy someone else. The sooner everyone realises I have an inalienable right to everyone's life being perfectly set up to benefit me and my family the happier we will all be.

PabloandGustheGreySquirrels · 31/10/2023 11:42

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

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Who the hell told you that nonsense?!

PabloandGustheGreySquirrels · 31/10/2023 11:45

@herewegoroundthebastardbush Nice bit of racism added in there, how nice 😳

mydogisthebest · 31/10/2023 11:45

foremostwilly · 31/10/2023 10:32

I've never set off a firework in my life, but having carefully considered the representations on this thread, I'm going to order a dozen rockets.

You sound like a prize selfish twat

mydogisthebest · 31/10/2023 11:51

BeeDavis · 31/10/2023 11:32

You do realise that fireworks can legally be let off every single day of the year? Just suck it up like everybody else does. I have a child and a dog, it’s just life.

It's not "just life" unless you are a selfish moron.

Why should people who have terrified animals or children or elderly parents/relative just "suck it up"? Do fuck off.

I will go and tell my neighbour whose pregnant horse miscarried the other day because of someone letting fireworks off and the terrified horse running into a fence that she should just suck it up shall I?

In some areas fireworks go on for night after night for weeks from quite early when it's not even dark until well past midnight.

There is no need to have fireworks at all but if people really want to waste their money at least have them on the right night. There is also absolutely no need whatsoever to have ones that just sound like bombs. How is that fun or entertaining for anyone other than a moron? Pretty ones I can just about understand but not the noisy ones. They seem to get louder and louder very year

pumpkinpie25 · 31/10/2023 12:14

electriclight · 31/10/2023 11:40

Why oh why can't people stop doing anything that might accidentally annoy someone else. The sooner everyone realises I have an inalienable right to everyone's life being perfectly set up to benefit me and my family the happier we will all be.

There's a middle ground though isn't there. I am pretty easy going. I don't get annoyed by much my neighbours do. I don't mind their cat shitting in my garden because I realise cats have a right to roam and my neighbour can't do much to stop it other than lock their cat inside which wouldn't be right. So I suck it up.

I don't enjoy being stuck behind inconsiderate cyclists who hog the road but I don't get annoyed about it because I realise people have a right to cycle and it's good for the environment etc.

I know that being part of society means putting up with things that you don't always agree with or enjoy. Those who simply can't tolerate other fairy normal, day to day things like this probably should live very rurally where they won't come into contact with people as much.

But fireworks for me is one thing that I can't help but get annoyed about. Firstly because it's unnecessary, secondly because they go off unexpectedly for weeks before and after bonfire night, thirdly because it brings out a special sort of anti social, selfish, im alright jack mentality as demonstrated perfectly on this thread.

I can't stop people doing it. But I think they should be used thoughtfully and sensibly just the same as loud music or any other sort of disturbance. And those who choose not to are simply selfish twats in my opinion. Funnily enough it's usually selfish twats who are the first and loudest to complain when something inconveniences them but that's another story.

Tapasita · 31/10/2023 12:19

I'm also torn on this one. I don't mind people enjoying a bit of fun, in an organised fireworks/bonfire event and I think that's where it should stay. I don't think fireworks should be made available to members of the public, who use them irresponsibly at inappropriate times and piss everyone off in the process. The night before last some dickhead set off a load of fireworks on the common opposite our house at 6am, woke everyone up including the kids. Plus, people are generally idiots and fireworks are dangerous, so add those two elements together and you've got a situation waiting to happen.

Organised events where everyone knows the ground rules are the way to go. It honestly surprises me that they can be bought by the public in this day and age.

OswaldSpengler14 · 31/10/2023 12:42

At the end of the day I’m not gonna forgo my fireworks because my neighbour chooses to keep a dog

Kimmybot · 31/10/2023 13:14

Love the parade and fireworks at Hastings, been a few times, always make a weekend of it and stay at Haven.

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