View Full Version : Fireworks..love Or Loath Them
Just wondering how everyone on here feels about them. I have 3 dogs and the run up to fireworks night is a total nightmare . The shops sell them to early so my dogs have to go through hell with the bangs ect untill at least a week after the event. I would ban them personally. What do you all think??
dragonfly
01-Nov-05, 16:46
must admit to loving them and I'm a pet owner too! Cats not bothered but dog does get jumpy and he's getting worse the older he gets. On Bonfire night, we tend to spoil him a bit and let him up on the couch and turn up the heat and the tv volume then he falls asleep and hopefully tv drowns out most of the bangs
I have to say i love them, but i do think there should only be organised displays and not sold in shops....i too have dogs and one of them is particularly afraid, i turn the telly up loud too.
As a rabbit owner I hate the way they go off for weeks before hand and days later ..... but that said I do enjoy them in a display.... I just wish it was just the one night that they were put off though.
I've made fair proportion of my living in the firework industry for over 15 years so obviously I'm pro-fireworks. They have been an integral part of celebration in the UK for over 300 years and there are no realistic grounds for a total ban.
Recent legislation has led to sales outside of clearly defined dates being restricted to specialist suppliers only, so despite what many folk believe the "nuisance" use of fireworks has started much later this year than in previous years. In terms of noise, retail fireworks are much quieter than they were 10-20 years ago as the explosive content is highly restricted by law, however this has led to the use of flash powder rather than black powder to ensure a decent burst is obtained; the result is a bang with a much harsher tone which seems affect some animals.
One change I would make is to ban sparklers, and wipe out 85% of firework injuries overnight.
Tugmistress
01-Nov-05, 17:25
personally I love them, but having said that I would like to see organised displays only especially when horrendous things happen with the sale of fireworks to yobs like the other day when a dog got blown to bits :(
news story http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1200925,00.html
If it was an organised display at least pet owners could be prepared for it. Personally I loathe them and would like to see the sale of fireworks to the general public banned
willowbankbear
01-Nov-05, 17:59
Just wondering how everyone on here feels about them. I have 3 dogs and the run up to fireworks night is a total nightmare . The shops sell them to early so my dogs have to go through hell with the bangs ect untill at least a week after the event. I would ban them personally. What do you all think?? I want them banned coz my pup is schizo with the bloody things but they keep the kids happy,so i cant win
luskentyre
02-Nov-05, 01:13
personally I love them, but having said that I would like to see organised displays only especially when horrendous things happen with the sale of fireworks to yobs like the other day when a dog got blown to bits :(
news story http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1200925,00.html
That story is horrendous! What kind of lowlife would want to do that to any living creature? They arrested someone in connection with this - that's some consolation I suppose.
porshiepoo
02-Nov-05, 09:56
I absolutely hate fireworks and generally don't go to firework displays, I'll be too busy indoors keeping the dogs calm.
I can understand the use of them on November 5th but do we really need to see them the week running up to it? To me that kind of takes the whole meaning of them away. :confused:
They should definately be banned from being sold willy nilly as they are, it's too easy for youngsters and immature adults to abuse them. :mad:
carlominno
02-Nov-05, 13:36
Love them, love them, love them - we go to organised displays and have some in our garden. Sympathise with pet owners whose dogs go mad and don't understand the idiots who let them off in the street, etc but properly managed they are just excellent fun
north_skye
02-Nov-05, 13:54
I don't mind fireworks really , but i agree they are in the shops to early for sale (should they be on sale at all ) Suerly organised events are better and less dangerous . I have 2 dogs and they hate it, and 2 horses which are not keen on the noise at all.
porshiepoo
02-Nov-05, 14:36
Quite right! People tend to forget about the horses that are out in fields. they can get very stressed out over fireworks. I don't have any horses at the moment but when I did my friend also had one that would get awful bouts of colic just bought on by the stress.
It would have been so much easier to know that either they're only going to go off on certain days or were at least kept to organised affairs.
The dogs at least are easy to calm down when they're with us but with horses bringing them into stables can sometimes be as bad as leaving them out.
Hopefully one day fireworks will be strictly regulated so that everyone can have their fun but for those that have animals to consider, they're lives are made that bit easier too.
Incidentally, doesn't it now seem as though bonfire night has become just another excuse to let fireworks off? When I was younger we used to spend ages making the guy and the run up to it was as good as the night itself. I don't happen to have seen any guy Fawkes around for ages!
dragonfly
02-Nov-05, 15:05
I don't happen to have seen any guy Fawkes around for ages!
think thats because you're not allowed to have bonfires now without applying to SEPA for approval - or am I just dreaming that???
I have never tried it myself but I do know of a lot of people who give their animals bach's rescue remedy to alleviate the stress at this time of year and it seems to work well. This can be bought easily at the chemist.
Chardonnay
02-Nov-05, 17:44
Fireworks are lovely to watch but my wee doggie is so so scared of them, any ideas of what to do?!?!?!
porshiepoo
02-Nov-05, 17:45
In reply to Dragonfly, yeah right!
Are you trying to tell me that no one has bonfire unless they have approval, I doubt that very much.
And anyway just because of that doesn't mean that guy's can't be made and put on the bonfires of organised events. Is there nothing but the fireworks left of the tradition?
As I mentioned before try giving your dog some bach's rescue remedy it works wonders for people I know.
Naefearjustbeer
02-Nov-05, 19:21
In reply to Dragonfly, yeah right!
Are you trying to tell me that no one has bonfire unless they have approval, I doubt that very much.
And anyway just because of that doesn't mean that guy's can't be made and put on the bonfires of organised events. Is there nothing but the fireworks left of the tradition?
I am sure that I heard about someone burning rubbish and a SEPA inspector just so happened to be in the area and saw the smoke and came over and saw that he was burning stuff and was told that he needed permission, he then went on insect the croft and found barrels of Stuff (farm chemicals) and gave the guy an official warning for not storing them correctly.
Not sure of any specifics as it was a 3rd hand story from someone with a gripe with sepa.
My brother has had run ins with neighbours who were complaing about him burning old wood in the back garden. It was a small bonfire and they were going to report him for it.
edited to add link, maybe it is what you are actually burning that might be the problem http://www.sepa.org.uk/news/releases/1998/sepapr3898.htm
willowbankbear
02-Nov-05, 20:03
Fireworks are lovely to watch but my wee doggie is so so scared of them, any ideas of what to do?!?!?! You could sell yer wee doggie:( Or if its lek ma doggie,let it have a glass o Stella .Works wonders for her . she gets pissed and cant mind a thing, Easy eh!
Fireworks!!!!! what is the need for fireworks up here anyway, us Scots have no need to celebrate the unsuccsessful blowing up of a foreign Parliament.
Now if it was a building not too many yards from my location, I might consider buying a roman candle and a couple of sparklers!!!.
I am sitting at 19:20 with bangs, wooshes and a lot of unwanted noise whizzan round my house as we speak. "Ahh the bairnies enjoy them" I hear you cry, WELL I dont, as another one goes whizzan passed my window.
We have many public Firework displays in Edinburgh, which I enjoy and encourage, but dont let Joe Public get his hands on them, he is an idjit!!!!!
Golach, you're a bit late with your annual rant this year!
Every year you tell us we shouldn't care about a failed attempt to blow up a foreign parliament.
Every year someone (usually me) reminds you that Guy Fawkes & his chums were trying to blow up James VI of Scotland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes) who had somehow just colonised Englandshire and taken it over to becomes James I of England.
LOL, I wondered who would bite first DrSzin, but I honestly thought you widna LOL
I sympathise with those folk whose animals are afraid of fireworks,as a professional pyrotechnician I abhor any misuse of fireworks; but to be quite honest I doubt even a total ban on sales would prevent this kind of activity.
The first step should be to strictly enforce the new laws; there are no circumstances under which anyone under 18 years of age may possess fireworks; they are breaking the law along with the person who supplied them even if it was a parent who bought them legally. Clamp down on use in public places. But the biggest benefit would come from wiping out the sale of illegally imported fireworks and their subsequent sale by unlicensed sellers, the British Pyrotechics Association estimates about 40% of fireworks sold in the UK are imported illegally and as such have not been tested to BS7114.part2 and will not comply with maximum noise levels.
If there was a total ban on sales I don't believe for one minute that the problems would stop; there would still be a black market for the idiots that cause a nuisance; they're breaking the law now so why would a ban stop them if they could still buy illegal fireworks from the back of a van in a pub car park :(
Neither do I entirely subscribe to the idea that organised displays are always safer; you don't require any qualifications or training to organise and fire a public display, often it is a few members of a PTA who have volunteered. However I've noticed over the past few years an increasing number of "firework societies" where a few dozen enthusiasts get together, pool their money and buy a DIY display. I have several such groups who come to me for their fireworks, we design the display together and I provide training in the best way to fire their display safely; this has to be the best way for enthusiasts to get their annual "fix" at a reasonable individual cost. It also benefits those with animals as the fireworks are concentrated at one location at a specific time; and more often than not neighbours are invited to attend a free display
Sorry for going on a abit! Obviously something I'm passionate about :)
I like my one night a year where i can legally set of explosions :)
but i think it should only be done on the proper nights and as far away as possible from other houses to minimise the scare of animals.
Chardonnay
03-Nov-05, 10:26
hehehehehe
Chardonnay
03-Nov-05, 11:49
You could sell yer wee doggie:( Or if its lek ma doggie,let it have a glass o Stella .Works wonders for her . she gets pissed and cant mind a thing, Easy eh!
Ah.......couldna sell ma wee friend but I'll try the stella and maybe myself when I'm at it, eh???!!! :p
willowbankbear
04-Nov-05, 21:40
Ah.......couldna sell ma wee friend but I'll try the stella and maybe myself when I'm at it, eh???!!! :p Great minds think alike, Love yer name ,Very Footballers wives &she was a babe the actresss who played her. You goin oot in Wk enight?
Rant Rant its 21:40 October the 19th and there is a banger fight going on in my street, Teenagers running amok and throwing Bangers at each other.[evil]
When will the Scottish Parliament BAN these things??????
Rant Over
Lol golach. I just knew what was coming. :)
You're absolutely right of course.
Murchiemannie
19-Oct-06, 21:58
love organised displays, but it should only be for the one night.soooooo sorry for all the little pooches who go bananas when they hear the bangs.
Paracetamol sales must do well to keep them sedated.!!
i do love fireworks.. being american.. we have a little ole thing called the 4th of july *winks*
but .. and a big BUT!!
kids should never have em!!!
it does drive me batty to see em running in the streets with rockets and what not..
we can not even sell them at work until we have been trained in handling fireworks!
have been wondering on buying some or not.. but do not think the kids are old enough yet to like them.
if they are fireworks at harbour this year may take them out and see how they handle it.. just depends..
ahh well..
changilass
19-Oct-06, 22:04
love organised displays, but it should only be for the one night.soooooo sorry for all the little pooches who go bananas when they hear the bangs.
Paracetamol sales must do well to keep them sedated.!!
You suggesting I drug the hounds from hell??:lol:
It might work for one night but when it goes on for weeks I think the SRSPCA would be after me.
Not sure how the hounds from hell would cope with withdrawl sysmptoms when the drugs are with held.:confused
highlander
19-Oct-06, 22:10
Years ago some parents got together and organised a bonfire display, as there had been renovations being done at springpark, the workmen were happy to help and placed all the old wood on bonfire, we organised the firebrigade to come afterwards to put out the bonfire, the police were delighted as we had gone and got barriers up around the bonfire, the school was delighted as the pupils had something to look forward to, my gripe, these parents used thier own money, time, or get it all together as there had been a lot of illegal bonfires springing up all over the town, anyhow the barins were delighted, but the feed back we got that night was from some parents, why is there no burger van, not much a display, (even though we did request on flyers handed round to pupils to give to thier parents, donations would be gratefully recieved) or people could take thier own fireworks, and let them off in a controlled area, none did, i personally dont like fireworks, but it was a delight to see the faces of the bairns enjoying a nice display, the upsetting part was ungrateful parents, who were happy to let others do the donkey work, and not have to put thier hands in thier pockets.
pultneytooner
19-Oct-06, 22:15
personally I love them, but having said that I would like to see organised displays only especially when horrendous things happen with the sale of fireworks to yobs like the other day when a dog got blown to bits :(
news story http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1200925,00.html
That has got to be a bit different as who in their right mind would do such a thing, these people need locked up for everyones safety.
caithness import
19-Oct-06, 22:25
Used to be a young lad once and play wi fireworks. Set of a box in John Menzies once. Had to go into hiding in Caithness until the fuzz moved on. Also blew up my thumb. That was a sore one and took some explaining to my folks.
Then I graduated onto firearms. Anyone for mixing fireworks and guns. I'm your man.
Sad truth is no matter how regulated or organised people will abuse. I know.
As for pets and the like. I hate my wee dug suffering because of fireworks. Generally try to pawn him off to somewhere quiet where he doesnt suffer too much. Every firework he hears he thinks its another dead rabbit to retrieve!!!
I dont think theres an easy answer. Its obvious the current controls on fireworks don't work and without draconian rules, a curfew and heavy sentencing for offenders theres little that can be done other than grin and bear it.
As for stella, thats a gaurrenteed firework. That stuff is lethal.
My dogs get really worked up over them, its also going to be a horrible reminder to a friend of mine who's husky cross although sedated ran into stairs petrified and broke its neck due to fireworks last year, Loathe them from me im afraid :(
Gogglebox
20-Oct-06, 10:11
Its a pity one of our out of favour councillors didnt try and redeem themselves by trying to get some sort of local byelaw that
limits the use of fireworks to organisations and
only after they have applied for permission from the Fire master
Fireworks are nice to see but when your sitting in the house and the noise is banging away all night, for four weeks, its annoying and must be frightening for some.
Shops should be persuaded to stop selling them as they seem unable to stop them getting into the hands of kids.
Maybe its an age thing and im getting more intollerant!!
Lolabelle
20-Oct-06, 10:14
I love em. But every new year we have to get home before midnight so as to let the shivering, quaking mutts in and give a good cuddle until it's all over. Makes for a good New Years Eve each year, but I wouldn't leave them to manage alone. They get too stressed.:~(
http://app100828.applicabroadband.net/images/rant.gif
HATE THEM!!!!!!!...
...And also the inconsiderate halfwits who enjoy setting off fireworks at midnight when people have to get up for work the next morning.
The laws passed to prevent yobs using fireworks in the street are pathetic - by the time the cops arrive (if they even bother) the cretins responsible are either tucked up in bed or miles away. Round here people let the damn things off at 3 am - you try to find out who is responsible when they launch rockets over a village.
And I question the theory that they are not as loud as they used to be - last year some idiot fired a volley off which due to the wind direction brought them overhead - 1000lb bombs are quieter.
And why can't we have just fireworks which go off quietly?
Neither do I entirely subscribe to the idea that organised displays are always safer; you don't require any qualifications or training to organise and fire a public display,
Many village/town groups cannot afford the insurance required before they can now put on firework displays - good. Cut back on the number of displays and perhaps October/November will be a relaxing time of the year....
The use of fireworks should only be permitted for the couple of days before or after the 5th of November, depending on which day of the week it falls on - so if it is on a Wednesday then the day for firework displays should be published like a bank holiday.
Killjoy? You bet - the two weeks either side of the 5th are a nightmare for us - the dogs used to be total wrecks and now the last one is on valium, all because of the ridiculous desire to celebrate the failure to get rid of the government!
In some states in the US fireworks are banned due to the risk of brush/forest fires - I am moving to one of them....
I am now off to the local shop to buy up the whole stock and dump it in the local gravel pit............
...unless the shop is owned by this numbskull - http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/huntingdon/2005/10/14/2480e91d-d6b0-45a5-9ec6-e8ecb0ce1df7.lpf
They found about two tonnes of fireworks, containing about half a tonne of explosives...............
sorry, MadPict, I'm unclear by your post - do you like fireworks or not :lol:
Personally, I like the display, but dislike the noise - because my dog turns into a trembling wreck and disappears under the bed for days on end. I'd be all for them if they were silent and just gave off pretty colours.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_headline=oaps-hounded-from-home-by-firework-yob%26method=full%26objectid=17962741%26siteid=666 33-name_page.html
I would have jailed this little towrag and thrown away the key [evil]
Heh - bit of a rant - added a suitable smiley....
My whole perception of fireworks changed when we got pets. And as the years have gone on it has become a real nuisance, to the stage where I have stormed round to the houses of people letting them off to berate them on their anti-social behaviour. I really should reign in my anger as one day some idiot is going to push my big red button.
I am not alone in this frustration - one year after complaining to some idiot of a woman, as I walked away an old chap leaned out of his window and thanked me for actually saying something - they were too afraid as they had just moved to the street. so why should we endure two weeks of living on tenterhooks waiting for the next midnight volley.
When the scouts put up thier notice board saying display on the 4th, we know that we will have to sedate the dog for that night. Not a big issue - but it's all the little private back garden displays that grip me.
I can feel my blood pressure rising just thinking about it.....
Sorry to pet owners but I really enjoy organised firework displays. Absolutely think they should be banned from general sale. Enough bombs in the world without selling explosives to any numpty.
wifie,
Organised displays on, or about, the 5th I don't have a problem with, as such. They are usually well advertised so pet owners get advance notice of when they need to lock up pets/drug pets/leave home for the night.
I also think that the sale of fireworks to the general public should be stopped.
And it's not just the owners of dogs and cats - horse owners have just as much of an issue with fireworks on general sale.
But policing the sale of fireworks is a bit like policing the use of mobile phones by drivers - the only time anyone gets caught is if the law happens to drive by. Trading Standards are the people who enforce the legislation on the sale of fireworks and they have their plates full with other matters too.
Far better to remove the problem from the hands of the troublemakers....
neepnipper
21-Oct-06, 21:59
With bonfire night once more looming and the shops selling fireworks I was wondering what people think about it.
Two of my dogs hate them and shake whenever they hear one go off. I wish that they wern't sold to the general public, just allowed at organised events, let's be honest most of the ones from the shops are pretty naff anyway, it would save a lot of injuries and stop kids messing around with them.
What does everyone else think?
willowbankbear
21-Oct-06, 22:03
Same as ye, but Its keepin folk in jobs so I can live with it. Oh & my doggie doesnt give a monkey`s about them so....
I don't think they should be sold to the general public, too many youngsters are getting their hands on them. I've heard fire-works go off for the past few nights now.
pet's and letterboxes are the usual target.[evil]
footie chick
21-Oct-06, 22:09
I think it should be organised displays only and that they charge to view them that way the local clubs get the funds and we dont waste our money on a box of fireworks.
Also if we know when they are going off we can keep our pets indoors and safe.
Have to agree with you neepnipper.
I don't have a dog but it would be good if it was only organised events that they were sold to as where i live they always seem to be going of in the early hourse where as this wouldn't be for anybody to enjoy it just wakens up the neighbourhood.
Threads merged as they are same topic and only a day apart :D
I heard the first bangs, earlier tonight. Nothing but a darn nuisance if you ask me. I love seeing the Thurso round Tables display, but the rest of them are just rubbish, and a total waste of cash, ban them apart from at organised events by reputable groups if you ask me.
Although I do remember thinking they were all great when I was a kid.
willowbankbear
21-Oct-06, 23:09
[quote=willowbankbear;149342]Same as ye, but Its keepin folk in jobs so I can live with it.
Oh & my doggie doesnt give a monkey`s about them NOW, last year I...believe Ive beeen quoted she went schizo:eek: This year it isnt affecting the poor wee thing-Good!!
Have been speaking to loads of people recently (all parts of Britain) who are really bothered by fireworks long before and long after 5th Nov. Surely it is time to speak out. What about targeting stupid shops like Tesco who are giving out money off coupons for fireworks (£50 worth - who would be that stupid?) and BOGOFs. If indiscriminate use of fireworks is a public nuisance something should be done.
Something was done about it. Unfortunately it was a token gesture. The goverment introduced the legislation on fireworks after pressure from the likes of the RSPCA and petitions from other groups but they didn't want to go too far for fear of upsetting the "fireworks industry".
The fireworks industry is under threat from cheap imports from China so they used that to try and persuade the government not to be too draconian in their clampdown. It obviously worked.
And the only time that fireworks will be banned will be after someone's child is killed or another accident like last years at a display...
Wee Monkee
21-Oct-06, 23:52
I love fireworks, but I HATE them when they are used inappropriately. Some little blitter set one off the other night & it went skeewhiff! Right over the houses & fizzed about in a small play area at the front of my house. They should tighten the sales of them as far to many youngster are getting their hands on them.[mad]
dragonfly
22-Oct-06, 09:47
I'll never forget seeing some idiots in a car coming into Thurso from the Castletown side - passenger rolled down the window lit a rocket which was in its holder tube and directed it at the houses in Castle Terrace, luckily it never did any serious damage (it hit off the garages) but if someone had been walking by at the time it could have serioulsy injured them or they had let it off a little later, it could quite easily have gone off in the kiddies swingpark [evil]
Pity it never got stuck in the tube and went off in the car!!!!! :mad:
Murchiemannie
22-Oct-06, 14:45
You suggesting I drug the hounds from hell??:lol:
It might work for one night but when it goes on for weeks I think the SRSPCA would be after me.
Not sure how the hounds from hell would cope with withdrawl sysmptoms when the drugs are with held.:confused
Never used to bother my Red Setter the big bangs until he reached his twilight years, then the poor dog became a quivering wreck.
Even with a paracetamol he was still sooooo upset.
I would ban the over the counter sales and just make it organised displays.
But that's just my little old opinion.
I would ask please if anyone lives close to horses please let the owners know if you intend to do the firework thing! I bring my horses in anyway but some people have their own parties not on but around the 5th and it would help to be prepared! Most horses are really scared.
cant be bothered with fireworks. could be cos i havent seen a good display of them. big waste of money.
I like the beeg displays of Fireworks...and in Edinburgh we have some of the beegest........the end of the Festival and the Beeg Hogmanay bash, ....also Edinburgh Council lay on firework displays on Nov 5th....this kind of thing I can and do put up with. Its just the likes of the yobs that fired the rocket in Thursa that get my goat up[evil] [evil]
One change I would make is to ban sparklers, and wipe out 85% of firework injuries overnight.
Totally agree with that statement. Children (and sometimes their parents) need to be reminded that they are very dangerous. I think fireworks should only be allowed at organised displays.
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