Dear Nicola Sturgeon

Please ban the sale of fireworks to the public to avoid accidents and injury, and distress to pets and wildlife.  Our firefighters are being distracted from other emergencies to deal with firework related incidents.

As well as the injuries caused to people (mainly young children) and the distress and injuries to animals, a lot of people of all ages are distressed by fireworks.  People with conditions such as autism, dementia and PTSD can be affected by fireworks with their symptoms being heightened.  I have been contacted by people with ex military family members with PTSD and they are badly affected by fireworks. 

People could still enjoy fireworks at organised public displays. Local councils and organisations could apply for an appropriate license to purchase fireworks by following all health and safety requirements.  An organised display allows people to prepare themselves.  They would know when it is happening and how long for.  Fireworks are currently set off all year round at any time of day or night with no warning.   Particularly at the end of October / start of November fireworks are set off at any time for weeks.  Please stop this unnecessary distress. 

I have copied information from the Scottish fire service, the Scottish SPCA and the national autistic society to give further information on the effect of fireworks.  

Information from www.firescotland.gov.uk - 

Watching fireworks can be great fun for children. However, figures show that, more often than not, it’s children rather than adults who are injured by fireworks.

Organised Fireworks Displays 2018
If you are looking to enjoy fireworks this year why not go to a safe, organised public display? You’ll save money on buying fireworks and you’ll see a much more spectacular display! The period around Nov 5th is traditionally one of the busiest for our fire crews.  Scotland need’s its firefighters for real emergencies.  Attending bonfires can cost life saving minutes getting to a house fire.

Over the past five years over 350 pre-school children, some as young as one year old, were treated in hospital for firework injuries. Be safe and always follow the fireworks code.  Children - including babies and toddlers - suffer over half of all firework injuries and many of these are babies and toddlers. Children's scars may heal but the trauma for them and their parents can last for years.  We want children to enjoy fireworks but they need to know that they can be dangerous.

Information from www.scottishspca.org - 

Fireworks cause distress to wildlife and pets every year.  October 2017 - As bonfire night approaches, the Scottish SPCA is urging the Scottish public to consider the impact of firework use on the welfare of animals.

We are reminding people to bear in mind that fireworks season can be a very stressful time of year for pet owners who are trying to protect their animals from the fear and distress fireworks can cause.

Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “We’ve been made aware of numerous incidents over the years where animals have come to serious harm and even death as a result of fireworks being set off near them.

“Animals will panic and flee at the sound of the bang and this can result in road traffic accidents. We’ve received reports of cats and dogs escaping as they look for a safe place to hide and sheep getting stuck in fences as they flee fireworks being let off near their field.

“We’re also aware of incidents where farm animals have aborted their young soon after nearby firework displays.”

Chief Superintendent Flynn continued, “We’re encouraging the public to attend organised displays rather than set off their own fireworks. This will allow pet owners to take appropriate action to minimise the distress caused to their animals.

“Animals have heighted senses and their hearing is much stronger than ours. The current legal noise limit for a firework is 120 decibels. To put this into perspective, a pneumatic drill measures around 100 decibels and people are advised to wear ear protectors when exposed to anything above 80 decibels. A dog’s hearing is twice as sensitive as a human’s and a cat’s three times.

“The bang from a firework is terrifying to an animal and can cause extreme distress.”

Information from www.autism.org.uk - 

Bonfire night is a family occasion that brings joy to people across the UK - but for the 1 in 100 autistic people, fireworks can be anything but fun.
Many parents of children on the autism spectrum tell us they choose not to celebrate bonfire night because their children find it too distressing. The unexpected nature of displays can cause anxiety and stress, and for those with sensory issues, fireworks can be very disturbing.