Last Updated on 30/10/2023 by Emma Purcell
Bonfire Night is around the corner and is usually a time when people come together and enjoy fireworks displays and play with sparklers. But for many people with disabilities and mental health problems, fireworks can be very triggering, overwhelming, harmful and traumatic due to the loud bangs, bright lights and pollution.
To highlight and raise awareness of the impact fireworks can have, we share how fireworks can affect people with disabilities and mental health problems. We also announce a new campaign that is encouraging individuals and organisations to register their fireworks displays so people who find fireworks triggering have prior notice of when and where events will take place.
5 ways fireworks can affect people’s health and wellbeing
There are many ways fireworks can negatively cause physical, sensory and/or psychological reactions in people with disabilities and health conditions. Here are some examples of how fireworks can impact and harm people’s lives:
1. Spasms and startle reflexes
Many people with neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy (CP) can find fireworks very triggering, causing them to jump or spasm at the unexpected loud bangs. Lots of people who live with CP or similar conditions have told us how fireworks affect them. Several people say it causes their startle reflex to go into overdrive.
A lady called Mel opened the conversation by saying: “I have cerebral palsy, and the days leading up to and after events such as Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve are long.
I have terrible startle reflexes and have done it ever since I was born. Loud, unexpected noises are the worst, so fireworks definitely are a trigger for it.
My body spasms and goes on alert. It tenses up to the point where it is painful, and every little noise sets it off. People think I’m exaggerating or tell me to ‘stop jumping’, and I honestly wish I could. I hated when people would laugh at me at fireworks displays for getting startled.”
Mel added: “As a child, I would get upset by it. Now I can see through the stories of others online with CP that they have some of the same struggles, which helps me feel less alone. I remember seeing Lost Voice Guy’s clip on Twitter about Bonfire Night and it made me laugh.”
Mel concluded: “I’m not of the opinion that fireworks should be banned, but I think there should be a wider rollout of silent fireworks and public displays only. I know this is the case already in some places. Fireworks cause unnecessary stress for people with a range of disabilities and pets too. Maybe it’s a sign that we need to rethink our approach to celebrations.”
Milly, a blogger for Disability Arts Online and someone who runs her own Etsy business, said: “I have cerebral palsy, fibromyalgia and complex PTSD. Fireworks are very startling and have always made me jump and my legs spasm. I wish people realised this long before now that fireworks are awful for many disabled people and animals.”
Another lady, Karen, made the point that she can enjoy fireworks when they’re at organised events but gets startled by unexpected loius bangs: “I have cerebral palsy and walk with a stick. Plus I have a nervous rescue dog. I actually like fireworks, however, with organised ones you know where they are going to be and at what time. I can prepare for them and you know they are there. Where I live people set them off up to a month beforehand. I jump at the surprise of it, due to CP – I didn’t know that was a thing until this year! Plus my dog jumps several feet. He has been shot at in the past. Once when walking him, I almost got pulled off my feet.”
2. Sensitivity to loud noises and bright lights
People with varying levels of hearing and/or sight loss can be extremely sensitive to the loud noises and bright lights of fireworks. Quite a few people expressed to us how they have very sensitive hearing and find fireworks too loud.
Somebody called Valarie shared their experience: “I am hearing and sight impaired. My sight is worse than my hearing. All the bright lights of fireworks are not good for my eyes as they are very light sensitive and the loud noise of fireworks scares me.”
3. Triggering distraction and trauma for support dogs
Fireworks can cause a lot of distraction, anxiety, distress and trauma to animals. When it comes to working dogs that support disabled people, such as assistance dogs, guide dogs and therapy dogs, they are thoroughly trained to be around loud, crowded places and most are likely to not be phased by fireworks.
However, there is still the possibility that some support dogs may get distracted or spooked by fireworks, leading to them disobeying instructions, running away and even putting their owner in danger. In some cases, support dogs are chronically traumatised and have to retire early.
An example of this was reported by the organisation Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, in which Ulla Quayle’s guide dog Sage had to retire in 2020 due to the stress of the impact of fireworks.
Ulla said: “She [Sage] was only four years of age; I should have had another six more wonderful years with this amazing dog. She suffered severe trauma from the fireworks and was never the same dog after, she was terrified to leave the house, which broke all our hearts as she was a much-loved family member.”
She added: “Even the trainers in Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind couldn’t get her to overcome her fear of noises to the extent that she became terrified of doors shutting. She was retired to a lovely family in Kerry where she is living out her days in peace and quiet. Guide dogs become part of your family and parting with them is agony.”
Another reason dogs can be distressed by fireworks is when they are set off at an unexpected time or place. For instance, a voluntary Guide Dog trainer encountered fireworks in the daytime.
Ms Jones said she was out training Hector in the middle of the day when he was left traumatised by fireworks.
She said: “There was a firework display being let off only 40 metres in front of us so Hector could see it and definitely hear it as well.
“He panicked, was pulling on the lead and trying to run away as he really wanted to get away from the noise, so I had to just take him away from the situation as quickly as possible.”
Long-term, she said this could mean the dog associated the distress with being in their working harness.
“The dog could link work to bad things happening and so I’ve just been really mindful of that since it’s happened and just working in very quiet areas and just making everything really positive for him.
Because the danger is that if he does associate it with trauma, that he could possibly never work as a guide dog.”
Organisations such as Guide Dogs have provided advice on how to calm your dog during firework displays, such as giving them a long walk before dark, putting on classical music and distracting them with their favourite toy or treat.
This is all good when fireworks displays are expected, but there are still issues when it comes to unexpected fireworks. Individuals and organisers can set off fireworks over a two to three week period from the end of October through to mid-November and not just on Bonfire Night itself. Therefore, the unpredictability of when fireworks displays will happen can still cause harm to support dogs.
4. Air quality causing breathlessness
Another concern many people have is the impact fireworks have on air quality and pollution, causing significant harm to both people’s health and the environment.
Several people shared their concerns with us, with one person commenting, “The pollution of the fireworks and bonfires cause me more significant breathing and respiratory issues”.
Fireworks are combustibles made of gunpowder, accelerants, heavy metals and numerous contaminants, such as ozone, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide and sulfur dioxide. Their blast can introduce particulates and gases into the environment that have a detrimental effect on air quality.
This can affect many people with respiratory conditions such as lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
Last year, the Daily Mail reported a story about a mother of three who was struck by a severe asthma attack on Bonfire Night and is still battling the after-effects three years later.
Michelle Hicks, from Derbyshire, had to go to hospital after suffering a flare-up in 2019. She is still left unable to get out of bed some mornings and reducing how much she moves or talks now in case she has another attack.
Doctors diagnosed her with a breathing pattern disorder they believe was brought on by the medical episode.
Michelle said: “Smoke is a major trigger for me and ever since I had an asthma attack following a bonfire display three years ago, my asthma has been so bad at times I’ve been unable to wash or dress myself because I get so breathless.
I was at a firework display with my children and suddenly I felt my chest tightening up and became breathless.
It was a struggle for me to get myself home and the next day I was still finding it so hard to breathe that my husband Marcus had to call for an ambulance.”
5. Emotional and traumatic triggers
The final way fireworks have an impact is on those with intellectual disabilities, who are on the autistic spectrum and those suffering from PTSD and/or other mental health problems. The loud bangs can be very triggering for some people, causing them to feel extremely overwhelmed, agitated, anxious and distressed.
Maggie, a mother to her disabled son, told us: “My son is 20, has Hydrocephalus, CP, vision impairment and an intellectual disability. He can’t stand fireworks!! He tries to crawl into my skin when he is sitting in my lap.”
For veterans of war or other people who have faced traumatic events such as terror attacks or road traffic accidents, fireworks can trigger flashbacks, nightmares, fear, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, plus much more.
On the website fireworkcampaigns.com, there is a blog post that shares the impact fireworks have on people with PTSD. One example includes how fireworks affect a former member of the Armed Forces and his wife:
“I would like to give you an insight as to how Firework Season impacts the life of myself and my husband who suffers from Complex Combat PTSD and enduring Personality Change After a Catastrophic Reaction after serving ten years in the Armed Forces. Please note the term Firework Season as it just seems to get longer and longer with each passing year, then just when you think it’s safe, along comes New Year’s Eve and we start all over again. He lives ‘safely’ in his bubble he has created to not only protect him but to protect us around him. Suddenly his bubble is no longer safe, as all around him at any given time are fireworks.”
She continued: “It’s not only the sound or the flash. It’s the smell and if close enough the feel of them going off. Firework Season for my husband means there is added anxiety, hypervigilance and anxiety-induced incontinence, less sleep, more nightmares and flashbacks. He doesn’t eat when he’s anxious, due to the PTSD and anxiety he now also suffers from GORD. All we ask is that you consider the idea that it be organised displays only and only for a limited period around Guy Fawkes. At least the people like my husband and those with pets can at least be prepared.”
Many organisations such as the National Autistic Society and Combat Stress do provide advice and tips on how to cope and prepare for fireworks displays. This includes using ear defenders or noise-cancelling headphones, listening to music, watching TV, doing physical or breathing exercises, talking to people, or even finding safe, inclusive or alternative ways to still enjoy Bonfire Night, such as watching fireworks on TV or using silent fireworks.
The Sound of Fireworks campaign
The Sound of Fireworks is a campaign with a difference. It wants to raise awareness about the impact that the sound of fireworks has on veterans, people with disabilities and those suffering from mental health problems. But it is also on a mission to do more by asking the nation to join in creating a central register of fireworks displays.
The campaign aims to encourage individuals and organisations to register their firework displays, so that veterans with PTSD, and other people who may be negatively affected by the sound of fireworks, can have some warning before the fireworks begin.
The central register can be searched, and people can sign up to receive notifications of fireworks in their area too. This gives people the option to stay indoors, or to leave the area, instead of being caught off guard by unexpected firework sounds.
The Sound of Fireworks campaign was set up by Jasmine Skander, a Barrister specialising in Clinical Negligence, Healthcare, Military, Serious Injury, Abuse and Human Rights Claims.
Speaking about the campaign, Jasmine told us: “Before I started working with veterans who suffer from PTSD, I had no idea that fireworks, and especially unexpected ones, can be so deeply unpleasant. They can and do trigger flashbacks and a worsening of PTSD symptoms. At The Sound of Fireworks, we ask people to close their eyes the next time they hear a firework because the sounds are almost indistinguishable from the battlefield. I’ve heard so many veterans talk about how difficult Remembrance Day is for them and how dealing with unexpected fireworks in the run-up to it makes it all the harder on their mental health.”
She continued: “We are asking the public to come together to support veterans, people who suffer from disabilities that mean that they’re sensitive to fireworks, refugees, and those who are concerned with animal welfare. We are asking people to simply sign a petition and register their own fireworks displays. As a result of this, others can be prepared and know that at a particular time, in a certain area, there will be fireworks. If being around fireworks is too much, individuals can remove themselves from the area for an evening.”
As part of the campaign, the Sound of Fireworks has launched a petition for people to sign to show their support for having fireworks displays registered across the UK.
To register your fireworks displays, head to the Sound of Fireworks Register Your Display page. To be notified of fireworks displays in your area, head to the Sound of Fireworks Notify Me page and enter your name, email address and postcode.
Do you find fireworks affect you because of your disability or mental health condition? Share your stories and experiences in the comments box or on social media.
