The UK government is reviewing a proposal to cut the maximum sound level for the loudest fireworks used in private displays by half, a move sparked by mounting concerns from animal welfare groups and people with post‑traumatic stress disorder.
About 20 million people purchase and set off fireworks at home each year, according to industry data, and the end of October traditionally brings Halloween, Guy Fawkes Night on 5 November and Diwali on 8 November.
Government review of fireworks noise limits
Business Minister Kate Dearden said her department is examining “reforms to fireworks legislation, focused on their key harms associated with their misuse – their noise, and contribution to antisocial behaviour – whilst still allowing individuals to enjoy fireworks safely and responsibly for the important community and cultural celebrations they play a part of.”
Current law already bars sales to anyone under 18 and prohibits fireworks after 23:00, except on special occasions such as Bonfire Night, Diwali, New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year. An outright ban on public purchase is viewed by ministers as disproportionate.
Public and veteran concerns over loud bangs
Dog owner Katherine Alderson, from Clacton‑on‑Sea, told BBC Breakfast that the annual spectacle is “a nightmare every single year” and that she has “barricaded my bedroom window with numerous layers of insulation to try and keep out the noise of fireworks.” She added that displays “should be about the lights and colours” and suggested a total ban on sales to the general public.
Alan Friggieri, of the charity Combat Stress, gave evidence to the Commons Business Committee, noting that helpline calls surge at this time of year because the sharp cracks can trigger PTSD symptoms. He quoted a veteran who said, “Nothing quite sounds like an AK47 other than fireworks going off – it’s that crackle,” but stopped short of calling for a ban, recognising the cultural value of the displays.
Industry warnings about market consequences
Andy Hubble, vice‑chairman of the British Fireworks Association, argues that fireworks are already quieter than in the past, pointing out that older “bangers, air bombs and screamer rockets” have been withdrawn from sale. A BFA assessment shows that a 50 % reduction in noise – limiting the loudest devices to 110 decibels – would affect up to 60 % of fireworks sold to the public, while a 90 dB cap would cover about 95 % of the market, effectively amounting to a ban on consumer fireworks.
Hubble warned that stricter limits could spur an illegal trade, saying, “There is a real risk that if we make fireworks quieter there is still demand, creating an underground market via internet and white‑van sales, which would undermine the well‑regulated system we currently have.”
Implications for celebrations and pet owners
The RSPCA advises owners of nervous pets to stay calm, mask the sound with music or television, close windows, secure the environment to prevent escape, and provide toys or a safe space for dogs to pace or hide.
Combat Stress recommends that people with PTSD use noise‑cancelling headphones, blackout blinds, soothing scents, and grounding techniques such as breathing exercises or exercise, and to stay with friends or family on key dates like Bonfire Night.
While the cultural significance of fireworks for Halloween, Guy Fawkes Night and Diwali remains strong, the debate highlights a clash between heritage and wellbeing, urging policymakers to balance safety, regulation and the livelihoods of those who sell and organise the displays.
Why it matters: The proposed noise reduction could reshape how millions of households celebrate, affect the livelihoods of fireworks retailers, and influence the safety and mental health of vulnerable individuals and animals, making the outcome a pivotal moment for community tradition and public wellbeing.