Fireworks and Firework displays are terryfying our pets, wildlife and people. In the Craigavon area, people are having to resort to sedation of domestic pets, employ distraction methods, and in some cases, move temporarily to another location to escape the stress and noise pollution. This is unacceptable. 

Fireworks also cause unnecessary and tremendous stress and panic to all our surrounding wildlife. The annual council fireworks display in Craigavon, over a designated Nature Reserve and in an area which is predominantly the habitat of birds, otters, bats and land mammals, is we believe, sending out the wrong message to the public, and encouraging the use of fireworks throughout the borough. 

From an environmental perspective, aside from the noise pollution, fireworks are also air and water polluters. Given the high rates of asthma and other respiratory diseases in the ABC area, we believe the council should be promoting a responsible clean air policy. This would include the total ban of all fireworks and displays. 

There are also numerous accounts of elderly people, young children and people with health conditions being startled, terrified, and panicked by fireworks, and not enough is being done to clamp down and eradicate illegal fireworks and 'bangers'. For many people and animals in the borough, the months of September to December are frought, miserable and absolutely dreaded. 

We are calling on Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Council members, please address this problem urgently. Every person and every animal should have the right to reside in peace and without high levels of unnecessary and preventable stress, in their own homes and habitats. 

We the undersigned on this petition, ask that all fireworks and Firework displays are banned in totality across the entire ABC council area.