VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS

A campaign to stop the anti-social practice of

fireworks traumatizing people and animals

of the Hibiscus Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

For too long, elderly people, children and animals have been terrorised by anti-social behaviour involving fireworks. However, fireworks remain a holiday fixture in most communities around the world despite the increased acceptance of alternatives such as laser light shows.

Fireworks can create joy and excitement, but for many of the population and for all animals, fireworks are no cause for celebration.  Restrictions must be put into place:

	Voice for the Voiceless calls for a total ban on the import, sale and discharge of fireworks. Until this aim is achieved ...
	Consideration must be given to alternatives to firework displays, such as laser light shows and fairy light  processions set to music.
	Private fireworks displays should be banned completely and fines must be issued by the authorities should the Bylaws be transgressed.
	Only organised firework displays, with local government permission, should be allowed
	Fireworks should only be sold to licensed pyrotechnicians
	The use of loud and percussive pyrotechnics should be banned completely
	Displays must only use non-toxic, non-percussive fireworks
	Displays should never be allowed where wildlife gathers or nests, especially threatened or endangered species
	Displays should never be allowed in residential areas
	Displays should never be allowed to place crops and indigenous vegetation at risk
	Displays should be kept short
	All area humane societies, animal care and animal rescue groups should be alerted at least three months in advance of firework displays
	Sufficient public notice of firework displays must be provided to allow residents ample time to make arrangements and take precautions.
	Firework safety material must be distributed in schools and released through all local media outlets prior to times of firework use

SAY NO TO FIREWORKS

SAY YES TO LASER

SAY YES TO LIGHTS

Campaigners ready for the big bang season

South Coast Herald November 2, 2007

With both Guy Fawkes Night and Diwali being celebrated this week, brace yourself for an explosive situation. Judi Davis Reports.

Firework crackers may light up the night – but they could also end your sight. This is the warning anti-firework activist Hazel Voice has for Guy Fawkes Night and Diwali celebrants this week.

“One out of five fireworks related injuries involve the eyes. Don’t be blind to the dangers of using all types of explosives,” she said.

Ms Voice is a founder member of a group called ‘Voice for the Voiceless’. It was formed nearly two years ago, after a particularly explosive beginning to 2006. Loud bangs on New Year’s Eve caused pets to panic.

Many fleeing cats and dogs were hit by cars, or killed or injured in other ways, and the SPCA described the holiday as the busiest ever.

What clinched the matter for her group was the realisation that wild animals had been adversely affected too. Summer is the breeding season for most creatures, and the loud explosives would certainly have disrupted the rearing of young.

‘Voice for the Voiceless’ immediately began to campaign to have the Hibiscus Coast declared a firework-free zone.

“After almost two years of asking the Hibiscus Coast Municipality to revise current bylaws, we have made no progress. For this reason, we have changed tactics and have mounted a public education campaign,” said Ms Voice.

While researching the subject, campaigners discovered there was much that the firework using public should know about.

“It is not only animals that are endangered by the indiscriminate use of explosives. People, particularly children, are at risk of being maimed or scarred for life,” said Ms Voice

Last year, about half of all firework injury victims were under 16 years of age.

Firework crackers could harm hands and eyes, could cause epileptics to experience seizures, and asthmatics to experience discomfort. Loud explosions could also damage ears and even cause deafness, she said.

Her group also pointed out some moral considerations regarding the use of crackers. There was concern that some imported crackers might not meet basic safety and quality standards. In some countries, child labour was still used in firework factories. People manufacturing fireworks risked death and injury from gunpowder explosions and burns.

The voiceless victims of firework abuse, both wild and domesticated animals, were still a major concern of ‘Voice for the Voiceless’

“Using explosives near animals is cruel and inhumane, as they cause animals immense fear and stress. Please look after your pets and keep them safely at home on Guy Fawkes Night. November 5, and during the Diwali celebrations on November 9.

“Play music to help drown out the bangs. If your pet is particularly nervous about explosions, speak to your veterinarian,” said Ms Voice.

Thanking South Coast residents and business people for their support and sponsorship of the education campaign, she asked them to monitor the use of fireworks, this week.

“Report all illegal use of fireworks at 039 682 5555. There is a R5 000 fine for the illegal use of fireworks,” she said.

Wishing all Diwali celebrants peace, harmony and goodwill during the Festival of Lights, she asked that they use pretty fireworks rather than big bangs.

As for those who felt the need to celebrate a foiled attempt at blowing up the English Houses of Parliament on November 5, 1605, she asked what relevance Guy Fawkes Night could possibly have here.

EWT STATEMENT ON FIREWORKS

22 January 2007

The Draft Regulations on Fireworks, under the National Explosives Act, were closed for the second round of comments on 19 October 2006. The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), is concerned, amongst others,that the regulations fail to take into consideration the dangers facing animals, both domestic and wild, by fireworks.....

View the full statement

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