The 4th of November is the time where we celebrate Guy Fawkes Day. It’s quite weird that Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated by setting off huge quantities of fireworks considering he had tried to blow up the British parliament by setting up gunpowder underneath the Houses of Parliament.

It seems the day has now become a commercial event as opposed to the hideous reason it was meant to be celebrated for. Though they are amazing displays to see, aren’t we celebrating a bit too early? Has Guy Fawkes Day turned into Guy Fawkes Month?

I’ve asked pet owners how the blasts effects the animals in the neighbourhood. “It has become a nightmare. Soral has been cowering under the sofa every night whilst the fireworks take place. It’s ridiculous that we have fireworks a week before the Guy Fawkes Night, and I’m sure it will go on long after the night has finished. They need to bring a legislation to ensure they can only have fireworks on the day only. It’s not fair on the animals,” one said. They complain that the animals don’t understand the loud bangs, imagine how much more sensitive their hearing is to ours.

Maybe they should restrict the fireworks to the display events only and not sell them to the public at large. After all, fireworks are dangerous, aren’t they?

Health and safety is considered in all aspects of life, why not apply this to purchases of the fireworks. There should be stronger control on who can purchase them and maybe there should be fines for companies selling it to minors.

 

By Maya Savla, Newstead Wood School.