Massive thank you to everyone who has signed the petition, shared and completed the survey. Also to everyone who has left a comment on the petition page.

So, of course, I am going to ask you to do yet MORE for the cause!.... I know I keep asking and it probably gets wearing, but honestly, we are getting somewhere. It may not be this year, but just think how far we have come from the ‘humble beginnings’ .

Since I started campaigning in 2014, FAB firework abatement campaign has had 4 successful petitions, 3 have been debated in Parliament, 1 was refused as “too soon after recent debate on same subject”.  Now we have the petitions committee launching an inquiry. This is absolutely mega!

People on social media have been complaining for years about fireworks. All that was needed was a focus point to get all these people together. I hope that FAB has done that. We ALL need to be singing from the same hymn sheet, even though we may not all want the same end result.

So, what I am asking is……. Whatever end game you prefer, quieter fireworks, less fireworks, no fireworks….. PLEASE send in a submission to the petitions committee. It doesn’t need to be anything long winded.  Have a look at the points below and make sure you answer one or more of them.  You will need to have your submission in a word doc so it can be uploaded to the link.

I have added a few notes in italics, under some of the questions to give you a reminder of what you have all said in the past to FAB.

Petitions Committee - Send us your views

For the first part of the inquiry, the Committee is asking for submissions of up to 3,000 words answering one or more of the questions below.

Does the law provide an appropriate balance between allowing for the safe enjoyment of fireworks by the public and minimising the risk of fireworks harming people, property or animals? Examples of the sorts of things you might like to talk about in reply to this question are:

·         Are the current limits on fireworks by explosive strength appropriate?

·         Are current restrictions on public sale and use appropriate?

Bear in mind that public can use fireworks from 7am to 11pm EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE YEAR with extensions on 4 days a year.

·         Are current restrictions on noise levels appropriate?

Noise levels allowed are 120Db, that will sound very much louder in a town between houses than in the open countryside. Although in the countryside the noise will travel further.

·         Are current age restrictions appropriate?

Whatever the restrictions they do not work (never have worked for buying cigarettes so why would they for anything else?)

·         Are safety standards stringent enough? If not, how should they be strengthened?

·          

How effectively are the existing laws enforced by local authorities, trading standards, the police and others?

·         How might this be done differently?

Here you could inform the PC of the response you have had from police when you have complained. Or the council if you have told them.

·          

How do the roles of public and private firework displays differ?

·         Could public firework displays more widely fulfil the role of private displays? If not, what prevents them from doing so?

·          

What evidence do we have about how dangerous or safe different types of firework displays—public and private—are?

·         Do we have enough data to give good answers to these questions?

·          

How should laws around fireworks take account of the needs of particular groups such as the emergency services, retailers, cultural and religious communities, veterans, children or people with disabilities?

Here, make a point of letting the PC know and understand how fireworks affect you and yours as well as your pets

 

Should there be specific rules to protect animals?

Think here about how close to stables, barns, sanctuaries, farms, racing stadiums,rescues etc.

 

Are the public and event organisers sufficiently aware of the necessary safety precautions when using fireworks?

·         How could awareness be improved?

·          

If you would like to make a submission, please do so no later than 5pm on Monday 8 April, using our online portal. 

 

PS Please continue to share the petition, wouldn't it be amazing to get to 500,000..... :)