'Should fireworks for personal use be banned?' - Sheffield readers' heated debate on banning displays
Ban them, keep them, making them louder, making them silent, and locking down when they can be used - The Star’s readers have a lot of opinions about fireworks.
It would be hard to find a family in the UK that doesn’t have fond memories of a fireworks event, whether on Guy Fawkes Night on November 5, New Year’s Eve, Diwali or the Chinese New Year, among national celebrations like royal events or even just bank holidays.
But you also would not have to look far to find critics. Awareness campaigns and social media have drawn attention to how fireworks are distressing for many families in the population who would rather not see or hear them, particularly military veterans, people with sensory disorders and countless pet owners.
When celebrations are scheduled and ticketed, it gives these families the time and security to take action for themselves, making allowances, or even just knowing when the explosions will start so they can be prepared.
However, the sale of personal fireworks is a hot topic in England. The issue of whether the public should be sold fireworks grows year on year, and seems to be driven by two factors.
First is a growing frustration that fireworks are now common for days on end both before and after the events listed above, or tied to no event at all.
Those who suffer as a result of fireworks have no notice when they will be set off until the very moment they explode.
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Second is a perception fireworks are bought and used irresponsibly.
In Sheffield alone, residents on Abbeydale Road said the junction with Sharrow Lane was turned into a “warzone” on October 31 from “yobs” firing them up the street, leading to one local pub, The Bear, shutting for several days citing the safety of their customers.
Footage from Halloween showed a group of young men firing Roman candles on The Moor in the city centre, and South Yorkshire Police said they received 47 calls over fireworks on October 31 and November 1.
All this leads to an annual topical debate in England on whether the public should be sold personal fireworks, if they should be kept to licensed events - or if they should be banned outright.
The Star asked its readers for their thoughts, and was met with over 700 responses.
Here’s what our readers had to say on whether personal fireworks should be banned in England.
Should fireworks for personal use be banned?
Here’s what The Star’s readers wrote in reply on our Facebook page.
Craig Russmyster: “No and most people saying yes at some point when they was younger will have stood around a local bonfire enjoying the fireworks.”
In reply, Lee Joel wrote: “While probably true. There are many things that have drastically changed since we were kids. These days the issues are that there are vastly more morons abusing them, coupled with the fact it’s supposed to be for a single night and not the whole month.”
Claire Whitehouse agreed: “You are right, but back then they wasn’t as loud as they are now, I have four dogs and they are terrified of the bangs, and we deffo didn’t set them off the two weeks before and two weeks after.”
“As a child, I had to block my ears to watch fireworks,” wrote Toni-Marie Hudson. “Much preferred the non-bangy ones. My sister wouldn't go to bonfires at all because of the bangs. The bangs did spoil it for us to be honest.”
Many readers called that only “silent fireworks” are made available, whether personally or at events. Fireworks cannot be completely silent, but ‘silent fireworks’ are marketed as quieter when they explode. They still reach an average of 95 decibels - about as loud as a motorcycle - at the moment of take-off. Professional firework displays can reach as loud as 150dBA, and personal fireworks are typically capped at 120dBA.
Many readers called for restricting when fireworks can be set off to specific days like the events listed above.
Tom James wrote: “No just having tighter constraints on the times you can use them so those with animals can make plans for them.”
Peter Woods wrote: “I don't think they should be banned my kids love them and my dogs don't bother about them, however I think they should implement stricter rules maybe something like only to be used on Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve with fines for people using them outside the said dates, also agree that children do seem to get their hands on them easily so better checks on the sales.”
Mark Faulkner argued they are traditional, writing: “No no no, every year all the family go round to my dad’s for fireworks, food and a drink. He’s 84 years of age and looks forward to it. Why should we have to miss out because of all the moaners and their animals. Also we lost our nephew on Bonfire Night so every year we send a rocket up to remember him. So I don’t care what anyone say but I will still be doing this for generations to come.”
Lyndsay Jones was not moved and wrote in reply: “My dad is 77 and lives in a care home due to dementia, he has attacked at least one carer needing hospital treatment due to these lovely bangs thinking she was making the noise on purpose. It’s not just animals who suffer.”
Rona Helliwell felt personal fireworks are for “owt else” except making money: “Should go back to November 5, only unless they get permission from council that's what it used to be, if 5th was a Sunday they told us which day they were using Saturday or Monday was better for old people animals and the atmosphere as owt else it makes money.”