An organised Bonfire Night event is safest

Remember, remember . . . the impact of fireworks

With Bonfire Night approaching, people are being urged to celebrate at an organised display rather than using fireworks at home.

Alongside the fun and enjoyment, the evening can bring significant safety risks and have a damaging impact on others.

Whilst fireworks are spectacular, they can raise background noise levels by several dozen decibels, affecting the wellbeing of those with noise sensitivity, including autistic people.

The loud bangs, lights and strong smells of fireworks can be challenging for armed forces veterans, and pet owners know only too well the distress it can cause to animals.

More often than not, it’s children rather than adults who are injured by fireworks, with more than 350 preschool children in the UK treated in hospital over the last five years.

Assistant Chief Officer Ross Haggart, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Director of Prevention and Protection, said: “While we want people to enjoy and celebrate Bonfire Night, we’d encourage everyone to leave the fireworks to the experts and find an organised display nearby.

“If you’re not attending a public display, it’s imperative that you follow the fireworks code. The fifth of November is our busiest night of the year by up to four times. “By attending an official display, you can help ensure our resources aren’t delayed for someone who really needs our assistance.” Gilly Mendes Ferreira, Scottish SPCA head of Education and Policy, said: “For years we have supported tighter restrictions on public use due to the stress and anxiety caused to animals. “Most calls report animals being injured trying to escape the noise of fireworks, including dogs running on to roads and being hit by oncoming traffic, swans flying into electricity pylons and horses being badly hurt after running through barbed wire fences.

“We will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government to improve animal welfare surrounding the use of fireworks.”

Fiona Clarke, an autistic person living in Scotland, has supported the campaign.

She said: ”I think visually fireworks are a sensory delight and portray celebration but for some people – with and even without sensory issues – the noise and flashes of light, together with the unpredictable nature of how long they will go on for, can be overwhelming

“It’s not just sensory issues that can cause some autistic people difficulty with fireworks, as some may simply not understand what Bonfire Night is or what to expect.

“I think this campaign is very important in raising awareness of the negative impact, in addition to physical safety concerns, fireworks could have on others.

“I’d encourage people to be more mindful of that by attending local organised fireworks displays where practical.” Visit www.firescotland.gov.uk. To report the misuse of fireworks anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The unexpected nature of private fireworks displays can cause anxiety and stress for those with sensory issues.

Bonfire Night can be an especially difficult time for many veterans, with the loud bangs, bright lights and strong smells from fireworks causing serious anguish.

The noise from fireworks can have an adverse impact on animals and can lead to stress, fear or even phobia responses.

It’s estimated that 45 per cent of dogs show signs of fear when they hear fireworks.

Over 50 per cent of veterinary professionals said that they have seen an increase in pets with phobias, such as of fireworks, in the last two years.

Animals have heightened senses and their hearing is much stronger than ours.

A dog’s hearing is twice as sensitive, and a cat’s three times as sensitive, as a human’s.