Government debate on firework ban

The government must 'do more' around the sale of fireworks, a debate has heard, following a petition calling for a ban on their sale.

The petition – which closed early due to the December 2019 general election – received 305,579 signatures, including 656 signatures from the Heywood and Middleton constituency and 551 from the Rochdale constituency.

The government had previously responded, saying 'the majority of people who use fireworks do so appropriately and have a sensible and responsible attitude towards them'.

The petitions inquiry gave three recommendations to government: creating a permit scheme run by local authorities to limit the number of firework displays in an area, creating a national awareness scheme about responsible use and rethink how fireworks are packaged to limit their appeal and availability.

The debate on 2 November was opened by Tonia Antoniazzi, Labour MP for Gower in Wales, explaining that fireworks can cause serious injuries, which could put an unnecessary strain on an already overburdened NHS, whilst another MP expressed concerns about 'such explosives being in the hands of the inexperienced'.

It was ultimately agreed the best strategy to tackle problems caused by fireworks would be to raise awareness about the need for safe and considerate use of fireworks and the impact it can have on neighbours.

Speaking during the debate, Ms Antoniazzi said: “This is an emotive subject, and I have been contacted by hundreds of people about it. No one can deny that a well organised firework display is something that a lot of people look forward to as the nights draw in, but the distress and danger that fireworks can cause to people with disabilities or health conditions, and to small children, wild animals and pets, must be considered throughout this debate.

“People are using fireworks as weapons. We have to do more, and I hope that we will keep on pressing the government and working with the police and the emergency services to improve the situation. We need to - and must - do more, for the sake and safety of everybody.”

Currently, anyone over the age of 18 can purchase fireworks to put on their own display from home. But in recent years there have been growing concerns over safety and noise levels, with many calling for the pyrotechnics to be banned from general sale – as they are in the Republic of Ireland.

Last year, Sainsbury’s became the first major supermarket to stop selling fireworks at all of its stores across the UK, but other retailers have yet to follow suit.

Bonfire Night and firework celebrations can be some of the most stressful times for pets and veterans with post-traumatic stress. Used irresponsibly, fireworks can cause damage to property and significant harm – or even death – to people and animals if used as a weapon.
 

Read more: Former Mayor renews calls to ban fireworks as vets urge owners to minimise seasonal fireworks trauma for petsPublished: 06 October 2020

Campaigns such as Shoulder to Soldier aim to raise awareness of PTSD - a mental disorder than can develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event, such as warfare – which can be triggered by fireworks.
 

Read more: War Veteran supports the Shoulder to Soldier campaign to raise awareness around fireworks and PTSDPublished: 28 December 2016

Fireworks sold to consumers are limited to a cap of 120 decibels in England, the same as the pain threshold listed by the World Health Organisation and approximately the same level of noise heard during a thunderclap.

Many animals have more acute hearing than humans, so the loud bangs and whistles – which, at 150 decibels during a public display, can be as loud as the noise from a jet engine – can cause significant distress and fear and lead to the development of phobia responses.

In a survey conducted by the British Veterinary Association in 2018, around one in 14 vets across the country reported seeing animals with firework-related injuries over the previous year, with equine vets significantly more likely to report such cases (19%). The most commonly reported cases were self-injuries caused by fireworks-related anxiety.

The negative impact isn’t restricted to noise levels - the debris and remnants of fireworks and paper lanterns in fields and surrounding countryside can also pose a serious risk of injury to livestock, wildlife and zoo animals.

A study by Environmental Protection UK has also suggested that there are ‘notable increases’ in air pollution from particulates and dioxins – highly toxic chemical compounds that are harmful to health and remain in the environment for many years – on and around 5 November.

Not only is there a danger from fireworks exploding, they can also pose a serious fire risk as well which is why Bonfire weekend is the busiest period of the year for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service – calls peak at one every minute – with the other emergency services often burdened with related incidents.

Paramedics responding to an injured man on St Albans Street in Rochdale were targeted on 5 November. At least one firework was thrown at them – fortunately missing – instead hitting the ambulance. Luckily, efforts to provide care to the patient were not hampered by the incident.
 

Read more: Firework attack on ambulance staffPublished: 06 November 2020

Police in Gorton were also targeted with fireworks as they responded to an illegal gathering on the same night. One officer was hit in the head by a firework which exploded on impact, resulting in life-changing injuries to his ear.

Speaking about this, Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “It is shocking to yet again see fireworks effectively being used as a weapon. The injuries caused to my officer will have a significant impact on him for some time to come and potentially for life. Officers doing their job in protecting the public should not be subject to attacks like this.

“I have publicly called for the sale of fireworks to be restricted even further since 2018. It is my opinion they should only be used at organised events. Many people, myself included, like to watch fireworks, but this must surely be in a safe and controlled environment?”

A firework also smashed through the window of a local resident’s home in the week before Bonfire night, narrowly missing the victim – who was so terrified she ran out of the house.

Photos from the incident show the shattered glass window plus burn marks on the carpet and curtains after the firework exploded.
 

Read more: Lit firework explodes in living room after being 'thrown through window'Published: 30 October 2020

According to the Daily Record, one town in Italy introduced ‘silent’ fireworks following 2015 legislation banning traditional fireworks from displays, whilst Ms Antoniazzi says a silent fireworks campaign has been started near Gower, aiming to minimise the disturbance fireworks can cause to children, veterans and pets.

Allegedly, silent fireworks dampen the noise associated with traditional fireworks, so whilst not totally noise-free, will still result in less stress for those likely to become stressed or anxious from such noises.

You can’t buy fireworks if you’re under 18, and it’s against the law for anyone to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except on Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year.

You can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to six months for selling or using fireworks illegally.

You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.