Firecrackers and Fireworks: Dangerous for People and Animals, Calls for Quieter Celebrations

Firecrackers and fireworks are dangerous for people and animals. This is once again reminded by experts from environmental organizations.

They are calling for quieter New Year's celebrations, which will not endanger the health of people and domestic and wild animals. "If pyrotechnics are still used, let this be done by specialists and in an established safe order", commented Hristina Klisurska from "Green Balkans" to BTA. The organization supported the appeal of the "Four Paws" foundation not to use firecrackers during the holidays. 

Extreme stress is caused for domestic and wild animals, said Klisurska. According to her, the situation can worsen when the noise continues for hours. Last year, over a thousand finches were awakened by the fireworks on New Year's Eve. From the stress, they could not orient themselves and collided with trees and other obstacles, she said. 

Klisurska reminded that pyrotechnics can scare children and the elderly.

Such a celebration can be a source of panic and disorientation for animals, also believe the "Four Paws" foundation.  For yet another year, the organization is calling on people to give up noisy and glamorous celebrations. 

"We believe that the joy of the holidays is not measured in decibels, but in care and sharing", commented Denitsa Slavova, head of the "Communications" department at "Four Paws". She notes that the foundation's appeal for holidays without pyrotechnics has met with wide support.

The foundation calls for support for the "Movement 2040" initiative. Its name is due to a forecast by artificial intelligence that the noise of fireworks will fade only in 2040, explain "Four Paws". They believe that real change can happen sooner. Therefore, they also appeal for support for the petition for celebrations without fireworks and pyrotechnics. "We want to unite this wave of empathy and show that every voice matters. When more people take a personal commitment, together we can realize the vision for 2040 much earlier", says Slavova.

The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds also joined the appeal. "Choose light in the heart, not explosions in the sky", they appealed with a publication on Facebook from the organization. 

Other organizations, representatives of institutions and citizens also declared themselves for celebrations without pyrotechnics.