Fireworks

Fireworks can happen at any time of the year and can be particularly stressful for vulnerable people and our pets. We’ve put together some advice from leading organisations to hopefully help you and your loved ones. 

The noise from fireworks may induce panic in autistic children and adults, people with PTSD and others with learning disabilities, leading them to leave their home, get lost, or even suffer a serious accident. Make a plan beforehand on what works best to keep them safe. You could close all the curtains, snuggle up in blankets, make a fort, play some music, keep lighting low, use aromatherapy, listen to audiobooks. Whatever works for you. 

Fireworks and the law

The law says you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places.

You must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except for:

• Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight.
• New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am
• You can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.
• If you’re considering having a firework display be courteous and inform your neighbours. 

If you are concerned about irresponsible use of fireworks or antisocial behaviour you can report it to West Mercia Police online at:

https://www.westmercia.police.uk/ro/report/?fbclid=IwAR0bfzHdLol8GbgcLW6z7CcAqUDvEdC1nkvH-l5EQscmAFwnzHUqaK93kYk

The RSPCA and Dogs Trust has this advice about how to calm dogs during fireworks. 

• Walk them during daylight hours to avoid times when fireworks are likely to be set off.
• Close windows and curtains to muffle the sound of fireworks.
• Put on some music or tv to mask the firework sounds.
• Create a quiet space where your dog can feel in control.
• Create some hiding places around your home.

Cats

• Provide hiding places in your home or easy access to their favourite places to hide. 
• Cats can become more stressed if they're outside during fireworks so bring them indoors if you can.
• Microchip your cats in case they're startled and escape outside. This will help get them back to you. 
• Consider purchasing a Feliway plug in diffuser to help calm the nerves of your cat(s). 
  

Small animals

• Partly cover outside cages and pens with blankets or other coverings so that an area is soundproofed and hidden, but allow another area for the animals to look out. 
• Provide extra bedding that small animals can burrow in.
• Consider bringing them indoors.

Keeping horses safe during fireworks

It's not just animals in the home that can be scared of fireworks - horses can be too.

• Check locally to see if there are going to be any firework displays in your area.
• Where possible - tell the organisers of firework displays that horses are nearby and ask them to set off their fireworks in the opposite direction.
• Check on your horses as soon as you can.