UK fireworks could be forced to become much quieter under new plans as this could be last noisy Bonfire Night
It's the night that pet owners dread every year as loud bangs and whistles overtake homes during annual Bonfire Night celebrations.
And campaigners are continuing to call on the UK government to protect the welfare of wild animals and domesticated pets by cutting the maximum noise level of fireworks sold to the pubic.
Bangers, rockets and screamers have long been part of the annual events, however the Government is still considering proposals to cut the noise of the pyrotechnics by up to 50 percent.
It will cover those bought in shops for private use, after pressure from campaigners worried about the welfare of animals.
Advert
Celebrations traditionally marked by fireworks and bonfires arrive at the end of October each year, which includes Halloween, Bonfire Night and then Diwali, which falls on 8 November this year.
The Government stipulates that on Bonfire Night, firework noise must end by midnight. On New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, the cut off is 1am
What are the proposals?
Earlier this year, the government announced plans to restrict the loudest fireworks to professional displays and clamp down on the disruption caused by explosive bangs from private displays.
A consultation proposed targeted reforms to reduce the noise and risks associated with fireworks, which also included reviewing the banned list of pyrotechnic products and considering updates to the requirements for lower risk products.
This would impact privately bought fireworks, with around 20 million people each year putting on their own displays, according to industry figures.
The government recently consulted on proposals to lower the maximum noise level from 120dB to 110dB, which equate to their loudness being cut by approximately 50 percent.
However ministers said previously that an outright ban on the public buying fireworks would not be proportionate.
"We are proposing to reassess the risk level of certain pyrotechnic products, which could lead to more restricted access to some products," a statement said.
In a press release earlier this year, the Government said: "Concerns about excessively noisy fireworks have been consistently raised by local residents, charities, emergency services and animal welfare organisations.
"Loud fireworks can cause severe distress to pets, livestock and wildlife, with conservation groups warning that sudden explosions can cause panic, injuries and deaths among animals."
Animal charities hit out at firework noise
However the Center for Wild Animal Welfare (CWAW) has said lowering the limit to 90dB would help to protect millions of wild animals from stress.
Richard Parr MBE, director of the Center for Wild Animal Welfare, said: "Fireworks can be fun, but they also cause real suffering for wild animals.
"As well as scaring our pets, loud bangs can terrify wild animals like foxes, badgers, deer, and birds. Ministers deserve credit for taking action.
"But the government’s proposed noise cuts don’t go far enough. They should go further and cut the maximum noise limit from 120 to 90 decibels.
"This would make the area disturbed by fireworks a thousand times smaller. This would be great news for our pets, and for millions of wild animals."
The RSPCA is also running a campaign to reform firework laws, calling for stronger noise controls and 'firework free' zones.
"Most animals have a greater hearing range and higher sensitivity to noise than humans," said Lauren Bennett RVN, Scientific and Policy Officer at the charity's Companion Animals Department.
"From our pets to nearby farmed animals and local wildlife – the bang of a firework can make us jump, but it can quite literally scare animals to death."
On social media on Thursday (5 November), users again hit out at the sound of fireworks and how it was impacting their pets.
"Tonight has been utterly repulsive and my dogs are shaking and petrified! Ban fireworks!," one user wrote.
Another posted their dog was 'absolutely petrified', writing: "He's laid in a dark room with the fan on, calming sounds and the calming radio music bless him."
James Holt
