Fireworks

We always followed Blue Peter advice, and kept our fireworks in a locked metal box...
My mum told me that she was once at a neighbourhòd display and a firework went inside a toddler's rubber wellington boot.

The public displays are better anyway because they can invest in better and more spectacular fireworks than small family or street gatherings can.

It's a shame the bonfire – the original focus of the event – and the other stuff associated with it like treacle toffee and parkin and baked potatoes have declined (but not dead yet, as is clear from this thread). It's understandable though – there's so much crud these days that gets thrown on to unofficial bonfires, like plastic and treated wood that when burnt release nasties like hydrogen chloride into the atmosphere. No surprise that in many areas bonfires have been regulated out of existence.

I like to watch the organised displays from a distance. There's likely to be a "build-up" with a DJ jollying along the crowd, as with the ceremonial switching-on of Christmas lights. In fact I do believe the Christmas lights have taken over from the 5 November bonfire on many communities. In any case I stay well away, that kind of thing does my head in. That's just me of course.

I have just bought two boxes of low noise fireworks.

I love fireworks, especially to hear the whoosh of the big display rockets setting off.

We have several displays here over the next few days and I'm looking forward to them. I don't have pets anymore though. My dog-owning neighbours aren't so pleased by the flashes and bangs and will be taking the dogs somewhere else while they're happening.

I would be in favour of times/days being restricted so everyone can plan around them if necessary.

Another vote here for organised displays only, and no sale to the general public. I live in an area with several stables, where a mare in foal was so distressed she aborted her foal and died from excessive blood loss due to fireworks being let off, with out any notice, at a wedding being held locally. We have had fireworks going off here for the last two weeks. Heaven help the local wildlife as well as the dogs and cats.

I just wish they were quieter - I don't mind the light display but we've had huge displays for nearly two weeks now and still another week to go. Almost every single pub and organisation round here seems to do a display over a three week period. We usually go to one of them on bonfire night but these days we are sick of the sight of fireworks long before then. Even with double glazing and doors and windows shut we have a continual bang! bang! bang! for about three hours every other night. And of course there are the neighbours who insist on having them in the garden as well and they rain down on our roof. And this will continue now until well into January. Magical? Not so much.

My cousin was the same MissAdventure she had two bangers dropped down her wellingtons when she was young she has scars to this day and is well into her 70's they have never faided because the rubber melted into her skin. My mum said my grans and my hair was scorched as a baby by a rogue spark on my shawl'
We always kept ours in a metal biscuit tin with a lid and only my father went near them.
With DD we took them to a small display then luckily lived next to neighbours who had a very long grassy garden and they had an organised party each year.
DD says her council are putting on a light show instead.

I wonder how many people are injured each year?
I've stepped out the back door and had a "rocket" land on my head , and the force nearly floored me.
Luckily it was burnt out.

According to government statistics, between 2000 and 2005, 6637 people were hurt, requiring hospital treatment, by fireworks, and in the same period, there were two deaths. The Children's Burns Trust estimates that more than 550 children (under 16) are taken to A&E in the four weeks surrounding Bonfire Night.

NotSpaghetti

Suddenly not sure if it was a supermarket or maybe a toy shop Rosie, it was an actual shop though rather than online.

Thanks for the link in your previous post. He'd adore the ice fountain ones, and probably the indoor sparklers, he enjoys outdoor sparklers too, but is sometimes reluctant to hold one. The others were a bit of a let down weren't they? I seem to remember my ancient ones produced green and red smoke lol

We’ve just returned from the most fabulous display of fireworks to music at Newcastle Racecourse - thousands of people there and all loving it. A night to remember.

Apparently fireworks don't have to be noisy. Why isn't there legislation about sound volume? Then those of us that enjoy them could indulge ourselves without upsetting those who'd ban them in an instant.
Of course remember if you get a ban on one thing you open the floodgates for those that would ban things you personally would allow.

I adore fireworks and last night a neighbour had a spectacular show which lot up the road. Must have cost a fortune. Everyone here seems to have a dog apart from us. Although I enjoyed it seemed rather excessive for a small back garden.

I have always hated them and would ban their sale to the public. As other posters have pointed out they scare people, animals and cause harm when misused.Tonight I will have my ear plugs in and the TV turned up!

My nephew says his cat loves them and sits on the window ledge watching the lights. Even the bangs just get his ears twitching and he has probably come to associate the lights with the noise. However they are in a flat 7 floors up so it might be different if they were on the lower levels.

Update: Last night a neighbour had a display with fireworks so loud that when the first one went off I thought there had been a road accident! This went on for several hours and was in addition to the organised event that was happening locally. Perhaps there is a case for limiting the decibel level of fireworks!

My little dog Gracie now has her own Valium from the vets to take
(I used to give her 0.5 mg of my own).
She has also had Celeogel in the past, but it doesn’t actually touch her absolute terror.
I have often been scared that she would have had a heart attack.
She is now prescribed between 2.5 - 5mg a night.
She had her first dose last night.
It’s horrible having to drug your animal.
I close all the curtains and shut the doors to try to sound proof things at 5pm.
It is pretty much non stop here now until January.
I could weep

We always have low noise pretty fireworks. Just in case dogs worry, but they never take any notice tbh. They just enjoy the excitement and their bonfire meal.

Garden ready, wood for chimnera, post for Catherine wheels, tube for rockets.

Sticky toffee pudding made, chicken tray bake prepared, just going to make syrup for autumn fruit salad. Table decorated. Must get out crockery and stuff for hot apple spice punch.

I love family get togethers. 😄

Mind you, at least she gets some relief now

Dear little soul.

I love to see big firework displays, - at a distance. Not keen on being too close to them.
And while I agree that they are a huge nuisance to some people and animals and maybe should be confined to organised displays only, there is a little part of me that doesn't like all this health and safety stuff and the erosion of our freedoms.
So, I hope you all have a great time tonight and enjoy the fun.

She is the sweetest little dog, - adorable.

Here is mine, taken in the spring. Totally cool about fireworks - terrified of thunder. He hears far sooner than we do, so we always know when it is likely to be a storm.
I wrap him in a blanket and cuddle him for security.

It’s the noise levels.
It really is like a war zone.
It’s enough to make even the hardiest soul jump out of their skin.
It’s definitely a recent thing - about the past 5 years.

Oh WW, what an absolute sweetie!
Yes, Gracie doesn’t like the thunder either, but it’s doable.
Have you tried a thunder shirt with him?

Fireworks should be held once a year at a actual display. I’d be happy with that! I’m not a miserable grouch but I think about all our pets and the wildlife when they set them off, so many are petrified and die of shock.