The UK government has ruled out banning fireworks outright, but it is proposing to make the legal ones quieter. Under the plan, consumer fireworks would be capped at 110 decibels instead of 120, which roughly halves how loud they sound, and more of the biggest, noisiest types would come off general sale.
That matters because fireworks season starts tonight with Halloween and runs straight into Bonfire Night on 5 November. The British Veterinary Association says vets see fear, injury and lasting anxiety in animals every year. Its president, Dr Gwen Rees, called lower noise limits a real improvement, then added that quieter bangs are not a complete fix. Flashes and unpredictable timing still frighten animals, so clearer labelling and tighter rules on sales matter too.
Not everyone is convinced. The British Fireworks Association argues that setting them off in a public place or after 1am is already illegal, and that pushing regulated products off the market just sends buyers looking for unregulated ones. Scotland’s firework control zones have had a mixed reception for much the same reason.
Elsewhere the direction is clear. The Netherlands banned most consumer fireworks in August, Czechia has tightened its rules, and Swiss voters decide on a noise ban on 29 November. The UK changes would come as soon as parliamentary time allows, with a six-month transitional period once the law passes.
What this means for your dog: do not wait for the law to change. Make tonight and next week predictable. Walk before dark, close the curtains, put the radio on, and give the dog a covered corner to retreat to. If your dog panics badly, ask your vet about medication now rather than on the night. If you are already shopping, here is what works for noise fear and what to skip.