Fireworks

[IlonaM]

My vet has just sent me an advice email re fireworks and nervous pets which included this link to a desensitisation video on youtube: 

'Desensitisation gently helps pets feel less scared by introducing them to worrying sounds slowly. Playing our firework sounds video in the background is a safe way to help your pets get used to the noises.'

Normally I think one starts with the volume low and slowly increase in managed stages in response to your pet's progress.

 

[Angelina]

That's great advice. I'm going to try that - I think over the years, we've definitely found it easier but it;s still unsettling.

We listen to Classic fm and give the dogs Kalms which you can buy in the chemist and are herbal and the same ingredient as the vet's version, just a fraction of the price.

[first mate]

Quite a few going off tonight. Diwali is over, or so I thought. Anyone know what the special occasion is?

[exdulwicher]

49 minutes ago, first mate said:

Anyone know what the special occasion is?

It's usually a combination of "nearly Halloween", "nearly Bonfire Night", "weekend" and "dickheads".

You can adjust the sliding scale on each of those factors most nights for the next 3-4 weeks.

[first mate]

Don't know why but it seems like there have been impromptu fireworks since early September. At one point I even wondered if there was a shooting range or something like that over Dulwich Hamlet way- the direction where the firework sounds seem to be coming from? Is there some kind of new, fireworks craze going on and where are people getting them, out of season?

[Penguin68]

As the days shorten having evening fireworks for e.g. birthday parties becomes more realistic, the idea that fireworks is only about Guy Fawkes day or New Year's Eve is not a rule. I personally do not like fireworks, but other do, and I would see no reason to stop other's pleasure. I am sure the local Puritans will object, and there are issues about disturbing wild life with unexpected noise. But I'm in favour of simple pleasures. And many do like fireworks. 

[Angelina]

You're clearly trolling. You cannot really be that selfish and entitled, that you would put a total avoidable stress on so many others for your own brief gratification.

[Penguin68]

I have already said that I don't like fireworks. But I do believe in freedom for others to act within the law for their own pleasure. You evidently don't. So who's the troll? 

[Happyme5]

Some of them might be due to Diwali celebrations.   

[Angelina]

Yep - fireworks are recognised for certain celebrations; not for all everyday, just because we can and we like shiny things

 

[first mate]

The issue for me is about reducing damage to animals, whether wild or domestic, as well as to those humans that also suffer as a result.

The sad thing is that there is a compromise available in the form of low noise fireworks- it is the apparent addiction to imposing loud bangs and other scary sounds that I find so strange. 

[malumbu]

Went to a fireworks display maybe 20 years ago at the Crystal Palace, it wasn't bonfire night, can't remember why it was being held, Capital Radio were there.

There were people hanging from a crane, classical music, and quiet fireworks,  It was lovely, still dramatic with the colours but no loud bangs.

Not sure why this hasn't become the norm.  

 

 

[first mate]

So now Halloween is celebrated with fireworks too; the loudest flippin' fireworks some people could find, by the sounds of it. 

[Spartacus]

They said on the news this evening that organised displays start tonight and go on all week up to next Sunday 

10 nights !

Used to be only 1 or 2 

But its alright, we are still in a cost of living crisis 🫣

[Dulwichway]

It's firework season now up until early Jan 2026. Starting with celebrating the failure of terrorist Guy Fawkes on November 5th! BOOM!

[Angelina]

It’s full-on consumerism season now until, well, Easter probably.

 

[first mate]

10 hours ago, Dulwichway said:

It's firework season now up until early Jan 2026. Starting with celebrating the failure of terrorist Guy Fawkes on November 5th! BOOM!

Yes, except round here is started in early September, through October, in all that means fireworks season is now 5 months of the year.  Again, what is the attraction in startling random bangs. Why do people think this is okay?

[Henderson Jones]

I made sure to set off a few today just to rile you guys up 😇😂

Always looking for something to criticise 

[Happyme5]

Ohh dear.  Fireworks can be great fun.  Where I used to live the kids would have firework wars/games.  Watching them was more enjoyable than watching  TV. (Which you could hardly hear due to the pops and bangs).  It's not like anyone/anything could stop them. I would still prefer organised public displays that are affordable.   And I agree that fireworks cause problems for wild life, pets and people.   It seems to be one of those things that just happens so we have to put up with it.  But it is still not as problematic here as in other areas in London - that's for sure.

[first mate]

If it was limited to a couple of days a year, so we all knew, that would be fine. In the last few years (and it is a recent thing) you get random fireworks going off any time after dusk for half the year. It does more than cause problems for pets and wildlife- it can mean lasting damage and massive expense and hassle for pet owners. All because some get a buzz out of loud bangs.

Edited November 2 by first mate

[Happyme5]

I totally agree it just seems that it a thing nowadays.  It must be due to how fireworks are sold. 

[Angelina]

34 minutes ago, Happyme5 said:

I totally agree it just seems that it a thing nowadays.  It must be due to how fireworks are sold. 

In part, it’s largely down to people not actually caring about anyone or anything else apart from their own gratification (btw, there are better ways to get a dopamine fix)

[first mate]

Does anyone know what time tonight's events, the second night of the new phenomenon of Halloween Fireworks, end?

These do sound too major to be anything but large- scale organised events and they are loud, very loud. So anyone, for their own reasons, that dislikes or objects to this level of noise for the next x amount of hours, really has no choice in the matter! Could those addicted to loud bangs possibly have a kind of silent disco setup with the bangs sent through headphones, so the rest of us could be spared?

Edited November 2 by first mate

[SophieA]

Fireworks in this area do feel totally incessant at this time of year, almost every evening there is terrible noise. I feel great concern for wildlife, pets (I have a senior cat who hates them), as well as people who struggle with PTSD etc. Last year I even had people setting them off in front of my home. Tonight and yesterday evening have been particularly bad. Is there anything we can do as a community to prevent this? What action can we take? Surely we shouldn’t be expected to just put up with it every year for weeks on end! 

[exdulwicher]

On 31/10/2025 at 21:23, Spartacus said:

They said on the news this evening that organised displays start tonight and go on all week up to next Sunday 

10 nights !

Used to be only 1 or 2 

The problem this year is that 5th November falls on a Wednesday. So some places will be bringing their "bonfire night" forward to Saturday 1st and some will be knocking it back to Saturday 8th and there'll probably be a few that just go with Wednesday 5th anyway.

If you're doing a public display, having it on a weekend gets more crowds.

Which basically means a solid week of fireworks.