MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

New legislation to control the sale and use of fireworks in Scotland came into force after receiving royal assent in August 2022.

The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 includes the prohibition of supplying fireworks or pyrotechnic articles, such as flares, to anyone under the age of 18 and will take effect from this year. More changes around the supply and use of fireworks, including implementation of firework control zones, is set to come into place in 2023.

This represents a significant milestone in making Scotland a better and safer place for domestic, farmed and wild animals to live. We always ask that that the public enjoy fireworks responsibly and be mindful of the negative effect their misuse can have on people and animals. This legislation will help to tackle the impact that private use in particular can have and help to keep communities across Scotland safe.

Fireworks and bonfires can be very distressing and dangerous for animals. Each year, social media platforms and news websites are awash with videos of dogs quivering in terror at the loud bangs. Their ordeal is often prolonged as displays can extend well beyond the celebration itself, particularly because many people use fireworks and other pyrotechnic articles as part of private celebrations.

This November will be the first time in two years that there have been no restrictions on large gatherings during bonfire night.

As in previous years, we are working in partnership with agencies such as the Scottish Government, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and many more to share key safety information on how everyone can #BeSafeBeKindBeSmart.

As well as encouraging people to respect those around them, we also want people to consider our animal friends. When preparing a bonfire, it’s important to check the area beforehand, lifting leaves with sticks to make sure that no animals have burrowed their way in. Hedgehogs, in particular, like to make their homes in piles of twigs and leaves.

The noise of fireworks can cause great distress not only to pets, but also to farmed and wild animals. The loud bangs and bright flashes can cause animals to flee in fright, resulting in injury or causing them to run into traffic and other hazards. Visit scottishspca.org/firework-safety for more advice on how to keep animals safe this fireworks season.

We want everyone to be able to enjoy fireworks safely so we’re urging people to only attend organised public displays and ensure their pets in particular are kept safe at home. Not only are official displays safer and better for the environment but they are also significantly cheaper.

For the price of a packet of sparklers, we could feed a baby hedgehog for at least a week.

£35 could cover the basic cost

of caring for a fox for fortnight. This year, you can get more bang for your buck by attending an official display and donating what you’d usually spend on a box of fireworks to the animals in our

care instead: scottishspca.org/ support-scottish-spca