The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has produced safety tips for this fireworks season on how to use fireworks responsibly and considerately to help protect both people and animals:
You must only buy from licensed sellers
Make sure you buy fireworks from licensed or registered in-store and online retailers. Do not buy fireworks from unknown retailers on social media sites. Remember it is illegal for under 18s to buy fireworks.
Choose traditional dates and keep to the curfew
People are more likely to plan to protect pets and other animals if fireworks are let off on traditional dates. The firework curfew is midnight on Fireworks Night, 1am on Diwali, New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year, and 11pm the rest of the year. Firework timings may differ in Scotland. Search ‘fireworks’ on gov.scot for more advice.
Follow the instructions carefully
Before letting off fireworks, read all the safety instructions on the box, so you know important things like how far away people need to stand. If you do not understand the instructions and warnings, do not use the firework. Once any debris has cooled down, tidy it up and soak it in water overnight. Then put it in a rubbish bag and in the bin.
Check what fireworks you can use at home
Category F1, F2 and F3 fireworks are on sale to the public depending on the safety distance required. Check the labelling to ensure you have enough space to safely use a firework before you buy it.
Always follow the Firework Code. Search ‘fireworks’ on GOV.UK for more advice.
Think of local animals before setting off fireworks
If you plan to let off any fireworks, let your neighbours know in advance so they can plan for pets that might be affected.
If you live close to horses, let their owners know well in advance that you are letting fireworks off. Site your fireworks well away from them and aim them in the opposite direction. It is important to be considerate to horse owners as they cannot easily move horses away from fireworks.
Notify nearby farms and stables if you are planning to use fireworks. Do not let off fireworks if they will disturb wildlife habitats, or roosting bats and birds.
Keep your pet safe
On nights where fireworks are being let off, keep dogs and cats inside with somewhere to hide and give small outdoor pets extra bedding and nesting material to burrow in.
Campaign offers advice as new research gives insight to safety behaviours
The Scottish Government and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are urging people in Edinburgh to plan ahead and stay safe this Bonfire Night (5th November).
While new research highlights that 86 per cent of respondents1 in Edinburgh are concerned about the impact of fireworks on others, it also shows that 43 per cent2 stated they would give sparklers to children under five. Sparklers can get five times hotter than cooking oil and are the most common type of firework to injure children3.
David McGill, Lead Clinician for the Care of Burns in Scotland (COBIS) network and Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Scotland’s Burn Hub said: “Children are frequently burned with sparklers.
“There’s a misunderstanding of how hot they can get, causing severe burns to fingers and hands, or catching clothing alight. Sparklers should never be given to children under the age of five.
“Unfortunately we see a rise in burn injuries around Bonfire Night, in both adults and children, with 41 injuries recorded over the four-week period around Guy Fawkes night last year.
“The majority of these occurred at private properties, ranging from minor, such as burns to the fingers, to severe, including loss of fingers and complex eye injuries with loss of vision.”
As part of the new drive, people are also being encouraged to consider attending an organised public display, something almost half of those surveyed (48 per cent4) plan to do.
This remains the safest way to enjoy fireworks and helps minimise their impact on other members of the community, with 42 per cent of respondents5 in Edinburgh stating they have a family member or pet who is negatively affected.
For those still planning on using their own fireworks, the Scottish Government and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is asking people to consider others, ensure they know how to keep themselves and loved ones safe, and to follow regulations.
It is illegal to set off fireworks in public places, including streets and parks, and to buy or give fireworks to someone under the age of 18, other than category F1 fireworks6.
It is also illegal to set off fireworks before 6pm and after 11pm, extending to midnight on 5th November and 1am on Hogmanay, Chinese New Year and Diwali.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer (DACO) Iain Macleod is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Head of Prevention and Protection. He said: “Every year people are injured by bonfires and fireworks and admitted to hospital, with children particularly affected.
“We encourage the public to follow the safety guidance in the lead up to Bonfire Night and we always recommend attending an organised event if possible.
“People should also be aware of the laws around the use of fireworks, consider the risks and always follow the Firework Code to keep everyone safe.
“Please respect our staff who are working hard to ensure the wider community is safe on one of the busiest nights of the year for our service.”
Fireworks can be particularly distressing for those who experience sensory impairment, and can also cause stress in animals.
Scottish SPCA Director of Innovation and Strategic Relations Gilly Mendes Ferreira said: ‘‘Every year thousands of animals suffer stress and anxiety caused by the use of fireworks.
“Animals can panic and flee at the sound of a bang and this can lead them towards danger such as being the cause of a road traffic accident, also putting human lives at risk.
“Our advice for those with animals includes not walking your dog at night when fireworks are being set off, bringing all pets indoors and stabling horses. Make sure doors, windows and cat flaps are kept closed so your pet doesn’t become distressed and try to escape. If you’re setting a bonfire, always check for cats or wildlife before setting it alight.
“We’d always encourage the public to attend organised displays. If you are going to hold a private display, let your neighbours know so they can safeguard against any distress pets and farm animals may face.”
The Firework Code, details of legislation in Scotland and a list of organised events can be found on firescotland.gov.uk.
To report the misuse of fireworks anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Five top tips to help your pets this fireworks season
Bonfire Night is fast approaching, so PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, is urging pet owners to take steps to help prevent their furry family members from becoming anxious this fireworks season.
Many of our pets’ senses are far more acute than ours, so loud noises and bright flashes can be overwhelming, making fireworks season a potentially traumatic and anxious time. In fact, the 2022 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report revealed that 41 per cent of dog owners and 30 per cent of cat owners said their pets were afraid of fireworks*.
PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing said: “In 2021, in our 48 Pet Hospitals across the country we saw 1,200 animals with firework related issues such as phobias and injuries, highlighting the real impact on our furry friends.
“November can be an especially scary period for our pets because of this, but taking the time to prepare them for our celebrations can make a huge difference. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to help four-legged family members feel more comfortable this November.
Start early
“Talk to your vet if you know your pet becomes distressed by fireworks – they may be able to prescribe medication to help. The earlier you begin desensitising pets to the sounds that come with Bonfire Night, the less likely they are to have a negative association with them. Play firework noises quietly throughout the house and reward your pet with praise and a healthy treat when they remain calm. Gradually increase the noise but stop immediately if they begin to show any signs of distress – try again at a lower volume once they feel at ease. It’s important to go at your pet’s pace – remember some animals may have a lower tolerance to loud noises than others.
Use music and pheromones
“Music can be really helpful to drown out the sound of bangs, but if your pet isn’t used to the tunes, that could be a surprise in itself. Use your own playlist, or try one we’ve created, and play it around the house in the days leading up to Bonfire Night, then when you need the music to mask the noise, your pet should be used to it. Remember that plug-in pheromone diffusers can also help to relax your pet – for the best results these need to be set up as far in advance of Bonfire night as possible.
Keep them safe
“Make sure dogs have been to the toilet and cats are indoors well before dark – you can offer their dinner a bit earlier so they know what time to come home. Remember, cats will need litter trays, so they can stay safely indoors. Frightened pets can go into fight or flight mode and may try to escape when they hear loud bangs, so make sure windows, doors, cat flaps, and doggy doors are secure so that your pet stays safely inside. Check for any small holes or gaps in fence panels that your pet may be able to squeeze through in a panic if the worst happens and they escape from the house, and make sure your microchip details are up to date!
Set up a retreat
“Creating a space where your pet feels safe and secure will give them somewhere to go if they feel anxious. Choose a quiet room where they feel comfortable. Create a ‘den’ they can retreat into that has thick blankets, bedding, and pillows which can help to muffle the sound of loud bangs – cats may prefer these up on high shelves. Their favourite toys may also help take their mind off the noise.
Plan ahead
“Writing the dates and times of any local displays in your calendar or setting a reminder on your phone means you can plan to be home to provide reassurance. Knowing what’s on in advance also allow you to ensure your pet is safely indoors before fireworks begin, and gives you plenty of time to prepare their safe space.”
For more advice on how to prepare for Bonfire Night with your pets, please visit
Although ghosts and ghouls might give us a scare, nothing frightens us more than our pets being in danger. From poisonous food to dangerous decorations, there are many things that could give our pets a fright this Halloween.
Luckily, PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, has put together its top tips to help prevent any cat-astrophes this spooky season.
PDSA Vet Nurse, Nina Downing, said: “Between spooky costumes and an increase in visitors to the house, Halloween can bring lots of dangers and stressful situations for our four-legged friends.
However, by taking a few small steps, we can keep Halloween fun for everyone:
Keep Halloween treats out of paws’ reach
While chocolate may be a nice treat for us, it is a nasty trick for pets. Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which is toxic to pets, even in small amounts. The same goes for sweets, if they contain a sweetener called xylitol (sometimes called birch sugar). So, while you prepare for trick or treaters, be sure to store these goodies somewhere your pet won’t be able to reach them.
If your favourite tradition is carving out pumpkins, be sure to keep pets away from them to prevent them from eating the fruit, as it will go off or become mouldy.
Leave trick-or-treaters outside
A constant stream of unfamiliar people knocking on your door can make some pets feel anxious, especially if they’re not used to lots of visitors. So, why not place a ‘help yourself’ bucket outside your home so little heroes or villains can pick out their own sweets without upsetting your furry family members?
Hang decorations out of reach
Many pets love playing with toys, and dangly decorations are a strong temptation for our furry friends to explore. However, if they get hold of them, they could end up chewing and swallowing something harmful. So, make sure you hang any decorations safely out of reach! Additionally, be sure to keep lit candles away from your furry friends to help prevent them from burning themselves.
Return home before dark
Trick-or-treaters in creepy costumes, coupled with loud music from parties, can cause many pets to feel scared or overwhelmed, so it’s a good idea to take your pooch for a walk earlier in the day, before any spook-tastic celebrations begin.
You can also encourage your puss to come home by offering their dinner slightly earlier, before it gets dark outside. However, if you’re closing their cat flap for the evening, make sure you have a litter tray set up and a snuggly bed ready for them to settle down in.
Don’t dress pets up
While we may love to dress up as goblins and ghouls for Halloween, pets don’t share our enthusiasm. Costumes can make pets feel stressed and uncomfortable. Our four-legged friends are adorable just as they are, and there are other ways to get them involved this Halloween, such as a cuddling up for a spooky movie night together.
For more information on how to keep pets happy this Halloween you can visit:
Firework season will soon whizz-pop into our lives and for this Halloween, Diwali and Bonfire Night, Dogs Trust West Calder is issuing advice to dog owners to help our canine companions, who might be scared by the unexpected bangs and bursts of fireworks.
Susan Tonner, Dogs Trust West Calder Manager said: “Dogs have approximately four times more sensitive hearing than humans, so the loud cracks and bangs of fireworks can often be a terrifying and confusing experience for them.
“Fireworks tend to be sudden, unpredictable and bright. This combination can be distressing and have a lasting impact on dogs.
“There are lots of things dog owners can do to help make fireworks less stressful including having a clear plan, ahead of time, to help their dog cope. Dogs will respond to fireworks in different ways, some will want to find a cosy hiding place, whilst others will want reassurance. It is important to recognise the individual needs of your dog, whilst also letting your dog do what makes them feel most comfortable.”
The charity urges owners to visit its website for full guidance on how to help dogs stay safe and settled during fireworks. The top tips include:
· Adapt your routine – To avoid taking your dog out when fireworks have started, gradually change their routine in the weeks leading up to events. For example, it may be a good idea to start walking them earlier in the day alongside gradually changing their feeding time to allow them time to exercise, eat and toilet before dark.
· Plan ahead – Ensure you are aware of any local firework displays and make arrangements so your dog is not left alone. Prepare their environment in advance, close curtains, turn on the lights, and turn on the television or some music to help block the outside noise.
· Keep your dog safe – Make sure your house and garden are secure.
· Recognise the needs of your dog – Fireworks can spark varied reactions from dogs, some will appear relaxed and unbothered by the loud bangs; others will show signs of anxiety or fear. They may show subtle signs, such as panting or licking their lips, finding somewhere to hide or seeking attention from their human family. Or they may show more obvious signs, such as pacing, barking or even toileting in the house. Whilst these signs can be directly related to fear of noise, they can also indicate underlying health problems so please contact your vet as early as possible.
· Enable their preferred response by letting your dog do what they feel most comfortable with. Some dogs will benefit from having a safe place to retreat to should they feel worried by fireworks. Introduce this safe place well in advance and encourage them there by building up positive associations with their new ‘den’. Other dogs will cope best by seeking reassurance, so give them attention and comfort if they seek this out. Some dogs may not seem worried, and it’s best to keep them occupied with their favourite toys or activities to reduce the likelihood of them becoming anxious – experiment before the firework season begins, and slowly introduce them, to find out what they enjoy the most. It is important to remember, fear of fireworks can appear at any time and any age, so it is essential to support your dog throughout their life.
· Seek guidance from your vet – they can help with advice, refer you to a clinical behaviourist, and may also prescribe medication if deemed necessary to help your dog cope. Medication can be extremely useful where dogs are fearful as it can not only help them cope during the fireworks event, but also stop their fear escalating after each event. Give any prescribed medication well in advance of events starting.
Susan adds: “We recommend noting down how your dog reacted during the fireworks and what worked well to help them cope in preparation for the next firework event.
“The following day, after an evening of fireworks, we would also advise returning to a normal routine to help dogs settle down. If they were worried during fireworks, it is a good idea to seek professional help before the next firework season starts.”
If you are planning a firework display at home, please consider:
· Letting your neighbours know well in advance, so they can prepare their dogs.
· Limiting your display to 30 minutes or less.
· Opting for quieter, lower decibel fireworks.
For those who have welcomed a puppy into their life recently, check out the free sound therapy programmes, that can help to gradually expose puppies to different noises in a positive way, so they can perceive them as normal.
Dogs Trust recommends dog owners to seek veterinary advice for any concerns. They can check if there are any contributing medical problems, and if necessary, refer you to a clinical behaviourist. Read our advice on finding a qualified behaviourist
Five top tips to prepare pets for fireworks season – and why you should start NOW
Bonfire Night is a couple of months away, but PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, is urging pet owners to take action now to prepare for fireworks season.
Many of our pets’ senses are far more sensitive than ours, so loud noises and bright flashes can be overwhelming, making fireworks season a traumatic and anxious time for many of our furry friends. In fact, the 2022 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report revealed that 41 per cent of dog owners and 30 per cent of cat owners said their pets were afraid of fireworks*.
PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing said: “In 2021, in our 48 Pet Hospitals across the country we saw 1,200 animals with firework related issues such as phobias and injuries, highlighting the real impact on our furry friends.
“November can be an especially scary period for our pets because of this, but taking the time to prepare them for our celebrations can make a huge difference. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take now to help four-legged family members feel better when November rolls around”:
Start early
“Talk to your vet if you know your pet becomes distressed with fireworks – they may be able to prescribe medication to help. Now is also the time to start desensitising pets to the sounds that come with Bonfire Night – the earlier you start, ideally at least six weeks ahead, the less likely they are to have a negative association with them. Play firework noises quietly throughout the house and reward your pet with praise and a healthy treat when they remain calm. Gradually increase the noise but stop immediately if they begin to show any signs of distress – try again at a lower volume once they feel at ease. It’s important to go at your pet’s pace – remember some animals may have a lower tolerance to loud noises than others.
Use music and pheromones
“Music can be really helpful to drown out the sound of bangs, but if your pet isn’t used to the tunes, that could be a surprise in itself. Use your own playlist or try one we’ve created and play it around the house in the lead up to Bonfire Night, then when you need the music to mask the noise, your pet should be used to it. Remember that plug-in pheromone diffusers can also help to relax your pet – these need to be set up well in advance of Bonfire Night for full effect.
Keep them safe
“Make sure dogs have been to the toilet and cats are indoors well before dark – start giving them their dinner a bit earlier now so they know what time to come home. Remember, cats will need litter trays, so they can stay safely indoors. Frightened pets can go into fight or flight mode and may try to escape when they hear loud bangs, so make sure windows, doors, cat flaps or doggy doors are secure so that your pet stays safely inside. Check for any small holes or gaps in fence panels that your pet may be able to squeeze through in a panic if the worst happens and they escape from the house, and make sure your microchip details are up to date!
Set up a retreat
“Creating a space where your pet feels safe and secure will give them somewhere to go if they feel anxious. Setting this up as soon as possible will give your four-legged friend time to get familiar with the space ahead of any fireworks. Choose a quiet room where they feel comfortable. Create a ‘den’ they can retreat into that has thick blankets, bedding and pillows which can help muffle the sound of loud bangs, cats may prefer these up on high shelves. Their favourite toys may also help take their mind off the noise.
Plan ahead
“Writing the dates and times of any local displays in your calendar or setting a reminder on your phone means you can plan to be home to provide reassurance. Knowing what’s on in advance also allows you to ensure your pet is safely indoors before fireworks begin, and gives you plenty of time to prepare their safe space.”
PDSA is the UK’s largest vet charity. We’re on a mission to improve pet wellbeing through prevention, education and treatment. Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery helps us reach even more pet owners with vital advice and information. www.pdsa.org.uk
Local and national resources from Police Scotland will again come together to keep communities across the country safe during the weekends of Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night.
Local area commanders the length and breadth of the country, in collaboration with Divisional Commanders, have designed policing plans for scheduled events and to take into account sporadic incidents.
These plans will be enhanced with national resources, including tactically-located specially trained public officers, if required, who will deploy in support of colleagues where required.
A policing operation under the name Moonbeam has been stood up since 2018 in response to significant public disorder and anti-social behaviour in 2017, which included targeted attacks on the blue light services responding to emergency calls on what is typically one of the busiest periods of the year.
It has been activated as both a reassurance for communities, our officers and their colleagues, and as a deterrent to those who may set out to cause disorder and engage in criminality.
Since the operation was first instigated there have been decreases in the levels of disorder witnessed around these events, including in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic substantially curtailed the number of organised fireworks displays which were held.
The Executive Lead for Operation Moonbeam, Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, said: “Both Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night fall on weekends this year, which also land during our policing operation for the COP26 climate change conference taking place in Glasgow.
“While this will undoubtedly be a time of exceptional demand on the police, and all of our emergency services colleagues, I can assure the public and our partners that we are fully committed to responding to any disorder which may occur as a result of these annual events.
“Owing to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 , there are far fewer organised events taking place this year, but be assured plans are in place to manage any problematic unauthorised events which may occur.
“I encourage those who are parents to young people to speak clearly and seriously to them about the potential for personal injury when handling fireworks, as well as the devastating damage they can cause to property. In addition, anti-social behaviour and violence can have life-long consequences, including a criminal record, regardless of their age.
“We absolutely will not tolerate our officers, or our colleagues in the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service, being lured into situations where they face being subjected to violent attacks.
“We will do all we can to prevent these incidents occurring in the first place, but should they happen, we will respond in whatever means necessary to keep our people and our communities safe.”
