Fireworks

[first mate]

The debate cannot come soon enough. Tonight has been relentless and the loudest possible 'neighbour' garden fireworks the worst part.

[Sue]

[Angelina]

10 hours ago, first mate said:

The debate cannot come soon enough. Tonight has been relentless and the loudest possible 'neighbour' garden fireworks the worst part.

NYE is always like this. If you’re concerned about your pets, please consider seeing a vet as they can help. We give our dog valerian and play calming music, which helps especially after long walks and a big dinner.

If it’s for yourself, it’s one night, so also suggest seeing your doctor for advice. 
It is loud, although more predictable ( kept to evening:to midnight) than Guy Fawkes celebrations which go on for days and are arguably selfish and inconsiderate.

Either way, it’s a very difficult time for many. 
 

 

[first mate]

My primary issue is the noise level and the fact that it begins at dusk and continues well into the early hours, the odd random bang being possibly the worst aspect as you never know when the next volley will occur.

This is no longer about celebrating a turning point as the clock strikes 12am, but more a lengthy indulgence in ear shattering bangs, where there also seems to be competition as to who can create the loudest most startling barrage of sustained noise.

A new thing is daytime fireworks, where buyers are urged to forget the visual aspect and focus on getting the biggest bang for their buck.

I am lucky as I am not super sensitive to noise but I really feel for those who are. As for pets, I am afraid there are now many that require serious medication to get them through- and those meds are not cheap. The fault here is not with the animals or people sensitive to extreme bangs, but with those who insist on their right to impose it on all around them, not just for half an hour a few times a year, but for hours on customary dates and now  spreading to random events throughout the year.I  New Year fireworks is a very recent construct, and now Halloween Fireworks are becoming a thing.

Why should we encourage and condone a proliferating societal noise addiction? It really is isn't healthy. Let those who wish to damage their eardrums enjoy their pastime through headphones; they can turn the volume up as high as they like. 

If last night was the end of it then that is great but I think there'll be more through the weekend and more discarded jumbo firework boxes dumped in the park.

I hope we follow other countries in adopting low noise fireworks and drone shows instead.

 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by first mate

[BurleyJ]

I don't mind fireworks going off for NYE at midnight but I don't actually understand why they are still going off at 1am, 2am, 3am!

[first mate]

4.35pm and yes, as anticipated the 'NYE' fireworks have started up again, that's a full 16 hours after the event they are meant to celebrate has been and gone.

[Brian up the hill]

The Dutch are addicted to New Year fireworks and spent €130million this year on them. However,  sales to individuals will be banned as from this year and celebrations will be organised by local and city councils. I have Dutch friends and for them, this can’t come soon enough. However, at least there it’s concentrated  on one night. Here, it’s never ending, any excuse to make a noise is seized upon with gusto. In addition to the annual celebrations, add birthdays, weddings, engagements, divorces, christenings, BBQs, etc etc. I dare say you can funerals to that list as well.
Yesterday it started mid-afternoon and just carried on until the early hours. In the past, I’ve been woken up at 4am. Anyyone who doesn’t like it can go hang and you can ignore completely the  effects on people’s animals and wildlife. Don’t hold your breath about anything being done here, however. 

[intexasatthe moment]

First mate - I wondered if I was imagining things at 4.45 this morning .

Apparently not .

[Sue]

51 minutes ago, BurleyJ said:

I don't mind fireworks going off for NYE at midnight but I don't actually understand why they are still going off at 1am, 2am, 3am!

And they started long before midnight!

[SophieA]

3 hours ago, first mate said:

My primary issue is the noise level and the fact that it begins at dusk and continues well into the early hours, the odd random bang being possibly the worst aspect as you never know when the next volley will occur.

This is no longer about celebrating a turning point as the clock strikes 12am, but more a lengthy indulgence in ear shattering bangs, where there also seems to be competition as to who can create the loudest most startling barrage of sustained noise.

A new thing is daytime fireworks, where buyers are urged to forget the visual aspect and focus on getting the biggest bang for their buck.

I am lucky as I am not super sensitive to noise but I really feel for those who are. As for pets, I am afraid there are now many that require serious medication to get them through- and those meds are not cheap. The fault here is not with the animals or people sensitive to extreme bangs, but with those who insist on their right to impose it on all around them, not just for half an hour a few times a year, but for hours on customary dates and now  spreading to random events throughout the year.I  New Year fireworks is a very recent construct, and now Halloween Fireworks are becoming a thing.

Why should we encourage and condone a proliferating societal noise addiction? It really is isn't healthy. Let those who wish to damage their eardrums enjoy their pastime through headphones; they can turn the volume up as high as they like. 

If last night was the end of it then that is great but I think there'll be more through the weekend and more discarded jumbo firework boxes dumped in the park.

I hope we follow other countries in adopting low noise fireworks and drone shows instead.

 

 

I completely agree with you - and last night was really terrible where I am. Between midnight and 1am was the worst, where it genuinely felt like a war zone. I had to run out of my house to try and stop a grown man setting them off in open space right by our front doors. In response he went to throw a half lit one at me and then seemed to think better of it. I am so sad at how bad the situation has got here and how selfish people are. Fireworks are bad for the environment and for pets and wildlife, as well as just being unnecessary noise for people too. I have sent an email today to Helen Hayes, which I have done previously on this issue. Would advise anyone to write to your MP to do the same, and to ask them to engage with the debates scheduled for 19 Jan.