It’s that time of year again - fireworks

[greybears]

I don’t have any pets, so I’m lucky that I don’t have to worry about this, but I still feel for animals, wildlife, people with disabilities, etc when they start. Some have just started going off in the street behind me, and I can hear next doors dog going crazy. I’m not against them, and I know it’s only once a year - well, not really, as people do them on Halloween now, all through November and at Christmas. There’s always people posting in Facebook groups asking for a heads up if there’s anything planned, but not everyone is on social media or even cares. I do think they could be silent though. It would still be nice and fun to look at, but it wouldn’t really cause any distress then.

Humans summed up. Don't give a shit about anyone else that they're sharing the planet with.

Sileo gel, I believe prescription only though.

And going off here for two weeks nearly.

Next doors have a thatched roof (as do quite a few houses here) so have the hose unfurled ready as they do every year in preparation for any stray sparks. Fortunately, most of the houses nearby recognise that thatched cottages and fireworks are not a great mix and go to the display at the school a mile up the road. I know this is a time period they do not enjoy!!

How can you tell? The birds round here are behaving normally.

I get upset at the loud bangs and I know what they are. It must be truly terrifying for animals who invariably have much more sensitive hearing.

The problem started when display type fireworks started being used in people’s back gardens where sound is amplified.

Do you eat meat? Anybody crying over the effect of fireworks on the poor ol’ wildlife and pets but still chowing down on their cheap Aldi beef burgers or Sunday morning bacon sandwich need to reflect on their priorities.

I've one cat glued to the window watching the fireworks and two snoring away unbothered for the most part my cats are pretty bomb proof but new years eve will still cause a few issues as more people set them off in back gardens locally than on bonfire night I realise im very lucky my parents had a dog I had to babysit if they wanted to leave the house on new years eve

I personally would like to see the return of low noise fireworks and the introduction of noise free fireworks

Yup! Totally agree.

The “low” noise ones are what fireworks used to sound like before they started selling display types to the public.

I actually enjoyed those.

I can’t be the only one who lives near a wedding venue….. seriously. Fireworks happen all the time round here! Love it! Yet people are always surprised 😆 wedding venue that way, private school with their annual massive end of year party’s display in the other direction, fireworks at the end of lots of ‘proms in the park’ type events at said wedding venue, new year, bonfire night, Diwali…… fireworks are just a part of life. For non-human animals too!

No, I don't eat meat. And even if I did, supporting quieter fireworks is still a positive change for others. That is very black and white thinking.

I have several blackbirds and starlings roosting in my garden. I can hear them moving around in the trees.

Of course they’re terrified!

Can you actually see any birds where you are? How do you know they are behaving normally?

I don’t think that there’s much luck involved in not owning a pet.

I agree about fireworks being to loud as I actually ducked coming out of the car, some idiots were throwing them at each other, I feel sorry for the police, bus drivers and ambulance staff on nights like this having to deal with irresponsible people, I also feel sorry for animals in the fields, also some countries use drones now instead while celebrating new year, yes I would be overjoyed if we only had fireworks for events

Yes but these are proper displays. Not using display fireworks in a 10 x 10 foot back garden with no sound assessment.

I’ve been spraying Feliway around since they started at five. One cat is a little spooked, one is shaking and hiding behind the sofa. Third cat is outside, worried about him. I think they should only be allowed for organised displays.

I work in fire control - all hands on deck tonight. It's the busiest night of the year for the fire service.

The pretty colours really lose their shine after your 10th "my kid has blown their hand off" or "my house has burnt down" or "someone's tied sparklers to a cat" call of the evening 😔

I meant I'm lucky as I don't have to stress or worry over a pet being frightened. Not because I don’t have one. Lol

This. I love them 8 year old DGS is enjoying them from his garden. The 9 month old and cats are both soundo

Organised displays and designated days are my preferred option. You know in advance and can plan accordingly.

Fireworks did used to be much more mixed and quieter.

But it is Diwali that is the problem, not bonfire night. Most displays are early so the children can go to bed at a sensible time with school tomorrow.

Diwali is another matter altogether, well past midnight on week nights. It is ridiculous.

Sensitivities need to work in both directions.

One of our dogs is a quivering wreck, worse tonight than the weekend, just continuous, even the sedation isn’t calming, can’t we just have proper displays instead of the endless ones in peoples gardens.I’d be all in favour of shoving them up the backside of people who think they are so wonderful, lighting the touch paper and retiring

Wildlife and pets really shouldn't be conflated here, since the former are bad for the environment and are as much a product of selfish human choices as fireworks.

Personally I feel sorry for the wildlife having to put up with the detrimental effect of pets all year round. The RSPB estimates that UK pet cats kill over 50 million birds per year.

Yes, I can see birds. How odd you think you have the monopoly on birds in your garden. They behave oddly when we have an eclipse.

I do think some fireworks are unnecessarily loud but there’s a balance between silence and ridiculous.

You can't really make an explosion silent can you