Over the last few years we have faced increased negativity and hostility towards retail fireworks in the press and on social media in the UK, most of it completely unjustified. Whilst the negativity comes from a tiny minority of people, those people are very vocal and have in some cases convinced MPs that fireworks are a nuisance and that there needs to be further restrictions or a total ban placed on retail fireworks.

This petition advocates for the continued availability of fireworks for public use in the UK. Fireworks have been a cherished part of our cultural and national celebrations for hundreds of years. They have never been safer, with injury rates falling year on year for decades. When used as intended, fireworks are inherently safe, they bring communities together, bring joy to millions of families and raise tens of millions of pounds every year for charities.

The petition aims to show those in power that this is not a one-sided debate and although they almost certainly only ever hear from people wanting to ban or further restrict fireworks, there are tens of millions of people in the UK who use fireworks or who attend a fireworks display each year who would like this popular tradition to continue without further restriction. 

The latest anti-firework discussion is around restricting firework noise to 90dB. The level of 90dB is arbitrary and means nothing to those demanding quieter fireworks. Dogs bark louder than 90dB and although most fireworks fall well below the current 120dB limit, even "low-noise" fireworks may reach 90dB given the right conditions.
Once again, MPs have pandered to ridiculous claims by the usual anti-fireworks lobby and have not fully understood the implications this change would bring. It effectively means the end of all so called "organised" displays that use retail fireworks as the costs would rise and the audience numbers would fall. It means an increase in the black market trade of untested and illegally imported louder fireworks and most importantly it will make no difference to animals because even with a limit of 90dB, the perceived noise levels will remain.

If illegal and anti-social use of fireworks was properly policed, the vast majority of complaints would cease. Illegal use includes:

*Children using fireworks.
*Fireworks being used in a public place, eg a park or street.
*Fireworks being used after the legal curfew time (usually 11PM except firework night, Diwali, NYE etc).
*Illegal fireworks being used (bangers, banned items, F4 being used by non-professionals etc).
*Using fireworks as a weapon or in a threatening manner.
*Using fireworks close to stables or livestock.

The vast majority of people who use fireworks in the UK do so responsibly, legally and safely, with anti-social or illegal use of fireworks being thankfully very rare.
Those who campaign to ban fireworks wrongly cite illegal use as a reason for banning them. But something that is already illegal cannot be made MORE illegal.

We have always said that the police should crack down on illegal firework use and the courts should prosecute the perpetrators. Only by making an example of those abusing fireworks will others take notice and stop their anti-social behaviours.

If you agree with us that:

FIREWORKS SHOULD NOT BE BANNED OR FURTHER RESTRICTED

…please sign this petition.