What’s the point of fireworks? They terrify pets, displace wildlife, trigger PTSD, pollute the environment, cause wildfires, and pose serious health risks. Thankfully, there are safer alternative: silent laser light shows, parades, and other creative celebration- that don’t put animals or people in danger.

Many pets, birds, and wildlife experience extreme stress during fireworks. Animals’ ears are far more sensitive than ours, and sudden, loud explosions make them panic. Believing their lives are at risk, they will do anything to escape-sometimes injuring themselves in the process.

Dogs have been known to jump through glass windows, climb fences, or dig their way out when terrified. Many run into traffic or disappear entirely. Animal shelters consistently report spikes in lost or injured pets after fireworks events.

Wildlife suffers too. Bees become disoriented and fail to return to their hives. Birds panic, sometimes resulting in mass deaths. Animals may abandon their young in search of safety. Even aquatic life can be harmed when fireworks debris ends up in lakes and streams.

Fireworks also pollute. They release toxic heavy metals, perchlorates, carbon dioxide, and ozone into the air and waterways, posing risks to humans, animals, and the environment. Many fireworks contain plastic that doesn’t burn, leaving dangerous debris behind.

Fireworks can ignite wildfires, destroying thousands of acres of natural habitat—a growing concern as climate change makes conditions hotter and drier.

While traditional fireworks might thrill some, the damage they cause to animals, people, and the environment is far too high a price.

Urge decision-makers- including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission- to restrict fireworks sales, promote safer alternatives, and protect domestic animals, wildlife, people, and the planet.

What's the point of fireworks? They terrify pets, displace wild animals, trigger PTSD, pollute, cause wildfires, and are hazardous to human health. There are alternatives to traditional fireworks such as silent laser light shows and parades. 

Many domestic pets, birds and wildlife suffer severe stress as they do anything to escape the terrifying explosions, sometimes injuring themselves in the process. Animals’ ears are incredibly sensitive to sound. They are startled by sudden loud noises and, believing their lives are in danger, will do anything to escape, often with disastrous consequences. 

Dogs have been known to jump through glass windows to escape loud noises and, if terrified enough, will scale fences or dig their way out. Many run away or are hit by cars as they try to escape the noise. Animal shelters are reporting an increase in the number of lost animal companions after fireworks events.

Fireworks cause all manner of distress to wildlife. Bees become disoriented and don't return to their hives. Birds have panic attacks, causing mass deaths. Wildlife will abandon their young, seeking refuge. Fish and other animals perish after ingesting fireworks debris. 

Fireworks emit toxic heavy metals, small perchlorates, C02 and ozone which leach into our environment, streams and lakes, causing cancer and other health problems. Fireworks are covered in plastic which doesn’t burn up when they explode. Plastic and debris are often left behind when the celebrations are over.

Fireworks have the potential to spark fires and burn down thousands of acres of pristine wilderness, making it uninhabitable. This is especially a concern with increasingly hotter and drier conditions. 

Traditional fireworks may be exciting and thrilling to some, but considering the damage to nature, wild animals, pets and those with PTSD, they're not worth it.

Urge decisionmakers such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and others to restrict the sale of fireworks, encourage alternatives to traditional fireworks and protect domestic animals, wildlife, humanity, and the environment. Thanks for signing!