Three-quarters of Liverpool ECHO readers who took part in a poll have backed a permanent ban on fireworks, with most arguing they should only be used at officially organised displays. The survey, which attracted hundreds of responses, also saw 18% of voters oppose a complete ban but call for tighter regulation, while just 7% said fireworks should not be banned at all.
The debate comes as Halloween and Bonfire Night approach, with displays scheduled across the region. Fireworks are subject to strict rules: setting them off or throwing them in the street or other public places between 11pm and 7am is illegal, with offenders facing an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison. Exceptions apply on Bonfire Night, when the cut-off is midnight, and on New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when it is 1am.
Regulation and Animal Welfare Concerns
Fireworks can only be bought from registered sellers for private use between October 15 and November 10, December 26 to 31, and three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year. They are also known to cause distress to animals and have led to severe incidents, including physical injury and death. When all rules are followed and they are used in a safe setting, they can provide enjoyable evenings for all ages.
On Facebook, hundreds more readers joined the discussion, with many calling for fireworks to be available only at official displays or to be made silent. However, silent fireworks do not exist, as all require a chemical lift charge or a burst mechanism that produces some form of sound, whether a hiss or a bang, even at low volume.
Readers Split on the Way Forward
Dom Abba said: "Banned unless licensed to do displays (council or private). Stops the idiot children getting them and setting them off all the time and the idiot adults from doing it in their yard and setting fire to the shed." Helen Ellis Carmichael added: "Silent ones should be the only ones sold." David Smith commented: "Ban them unless silent. Idiots have been letting them off for weeks now, even in broad daylight. Pets, horses and wild animals are terrified of them. Our cat scuttles into hiding as soon as he hears them. A complete nuisance, purely for the entertainment of morons."
Defending the pastime, Roy Agar said: "Don't ban them. They are definitely seasonal fun." Robin Meadows responded: "Definitely not, thanks," and Paul Beresfore said: "Keep fireworks loud and proud."
Calls for Official Displays Only
The general consensus was that fireworks should be banned unless delivered in an official and regulated display, with over-the-counter sales ended. Daneille Railton said: "Just organised official events, not for sale in the supermarket! Too many accidents." Rachel Jones said: "Banned. Except organised events that have a time limit. When I was a child it was exciting because it was just bonfire night - now fireworks have been going off for the last two weeks and it's going to be continuous now." Sarah Nash added: "Stop selling them and put on displays. When I was a kid, the local fire department used to put on fab displays. No need for private use."
