FIREWORK ADVICE FROM THE GSPCA & DON'T FORGET TO NOTIFY THE STATES ABOUT YOUR CELEBRATIONS
Submitted by Steve on 13:10, 29th Oct, 2019 |
0
With a busy firework period fast approaching the GSPCA would like to remind everyone of the notifications to help those affected by the loud bangs and safety information for pet owners.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “With many firework displays confirmed already for next week and the week after we are reminding all pet and animal owners to do what they can to ensure they are safe, well and cared for.”
“The loud bangs and bright lights can often scare animals and we often see an increase in escaped animals during these periods.”
“We’d advise dog walkers to avoid taking or letting their animals out during the times of these displays and to ensure windows and doors are closed with curtains shut and music playing or the tv on to help drown out the noise.”
“We have plenty of advice online and have products at the GSPCA on sale that can help.”
“Hopefully this firework period and those watching the fireworks can enjoy them and at the GSPCA we want to make sure all of our animals in Guernsey will be safe and well.”
Here is some firework advice from the GSPCA and firework calendar of those we are aware of -
The Firework Code
Keep fireworks in a sealed box or tin
Use them one at a time, replacing the lid immediately
NEVER put fireworks in your pocket
Read the instructions carefully, using a torch or hand lamp NEVER use a naked flame
Light fireworks at arms length using a taper or a firework lighter
Stand well back and NEVER return to a firework after it has been lit, it could explode in your face
Ensure that all children with fireworks are well supervised
NEVER throw fireworks
Keep all pets and animals indoors
Take care of sparklers, wear gloves to hold them and dispose of sparklers in a bucket of water as soon as they are finished
The Animal Firework Code - The GSPCA would like to urge every one to follow our Animal Friendly Firework Code and protect your pets and the local wildlife.
Please make sure that your pets are wearing a collar with an identity tag in case they manage to escape from your home. We would also strongly advise that you have your pets microchipped as this enables us to reunite them with you much more easily should they run away. Please call the GSPCA for further details on having your animal microchipped.
Walk your dog during the day and as soon as it gets dark keep your dog or cat inside. Ensure all of the windows and doors are locked including dog and cat flaps.
Go to an organised display if you can, however don’t take your dog. If you are going out then draw your curtains, put the television or radio on and provide you pet with a safe hiding place so they feel secure.
If you are having a private firework display then build your bonfire as late as possible to reduce the likelihood of any wildlife taking up residence. Before lighting the fire check the area thoroughly for hedgehogs. We are always saddened by the number of hedgehogs we receive that have suffered severe burns. Do not light fires or set off fireworks near trees where birds are likely to be roosting.
Please notify your neighbours of your intentions. Especially the elderly and those who have pets.
When horses are startled they are likely to bolt and can suffer serious injuries. Ensure that all horses, ponies and donkeys are securely stabled with the doors closed.
Remember to bring guinea pigs and rabbits inside or place under cover in an out building.
If you know that you pet is frightened by loud noises such as fireworks or has an existing heart condition please contact your vet for advice.
Please clean up after firework parties. Litter is hazardous to domestic and wild animals.
Remember NEVER let fireworks off near animals.
Help us to continue to keep them safe!
Thankfully the incidents of animals being injured by fireworks & bonfires in Guernsey are few and far between; but we mustn’t get too complacent. Below are some basic guidelines that will enable you to help all of our furry and feathered friends to stay calm and safe on and around Bonfire night.
To notify us of your event please email the team at the GSPCA and we can add your firework display to our calendar. Please let us know the location, date and times it is planned for and also if it is public or a private event.
Fireworks are exciting and pretty to look at and it is fun to celebrate Guy Fawkes with a bang, but for our furry and feathered friends this time of year can be a nightmare. Many animals domestic and wild suffer needlessly every year.
The GSPCA would like to urge everyone follow our animal friendly firework code and protect your pets and the local wildlife.
Please make sure that your pets are wearing a collar with an identity tag in case they manage to escape from your home. We would also strongly advise that you have your pets microchipped as this enables us to reunite them with you much more easily should they run away. Please call the GSPCA for further details on having your animal microchipped.
Walk your dog during the day.
As soon as it gets dark keep your dog or cat inside. Ensure all of the windows and doors are locked including dog and cat flaps.
Go to an organised display if you can. If you are having a private firework display then build you bonfire as late as possible to reduce the likelihood of any wildlife taking up residence. Before lighting the fire check the area thoroughly for hedgehogs. We are always saddened by the number of hedgehogs we receive that have suffered severe burns.
Please notify your neighbours of your intentions. Especially the elderly and those who have pets.
When horses are startled they are likely to bolt and can suffer serious injuries. Ensure that all horses, ponies and donkeys are securely stabled with the doors closed.
Remember to bring guinea pigs and rabbits inside or place under cover in an out building.
Don’t take your dog to a firework display. If you are going out then draw your curtains, put the television or radio on and provide you pet with a safe hiding place so they feel secure.
If you know that your pet is frightened by loud noises such as fireworks or has an existing heart condition please contact your vet for advice. They may suggest you try an Appeasing Pheromone such as ADAPTIL or Feliway diffusers or may discuss the use of sedatives; depending on your pet’s needs.
Please clean up after firework parties. Litter is hazardous to domestic and wild animals.
Remember NEVER let fireworks off near animals.
Note: ADAPTIL and Feliway products are on sale at the Shelter and have proven to be very effective in calming anxious pets. You should purchase the product as soon as you can for maximum effectiveness on and around Fireworks night. The GSPCA is keen to help owners reduce their pet’s anxieties and now offers these products for almost 50% less than other outlets.
If you require further advice please contact the GSPCA on 257261
The following advice is from the States of Guernsey on the sale of fireworks and safety information
Sale of fireworks
The sale of fireworks will commence on Tuesday 29th October this year and will be allowed until close of business on Tuesday 5th November.
The sale of fireworks to persons under 20 years of age is prohibited.
Advice and Information
Why not attend an organised display? Information is available on local radio, in the local press, on social media and on www.gov.gg/fireworks.
The public and animal owners can receive notifications about displays by signing up for updates on www.gov.gg/fireworks (you will receive a text message on your mobile phone).
Having your own fireworks display
If you hold your own event, the designated days are Saturday 2nd November and Tuesday 5th November 2019 and following Saturday if the weather is poor. Please follow the HSE good practice guidance
If you are holding your own display, no matter how small, please go to the following site to notify of the location www.gov.gg/fireworks; this will help inform your neighbours and animal owners about potential noise. You can mark the event as “public” if you want to encourage visitors or as “private”.
Be a good neighbour. Let people know what you are planning. If there is livestock in nearby fields let the owners know what you are doing and do not cause a nuisance by firing them late at night.
Keep your display to the designated days (2, 5 November) and reasonable hours between 6.30 – 8.30pm – finishing your display before 9pm. Do not fire fireworks in public places (parks, beaches etc).
When buying fireworks, seek the advice of the retailer and read the manufacturer’s instructions as to the suitability of the firework for the area in which it is to be discharged. Some of those on sale to the public are not suitable for the average garden on the island.
Always buy fireworks well in advance of letting them off; give yourself time to read the instructions on the fireworks in order that you can make the preparations necessary to fire them safely. Many require wooden stakes driven into the ground or a hole dug to partially bury them.
The packaging will give you the safe distance between people, buildings and fireworks (often 8m for smaller fireworks, 25m for larger fireworks).
10. Never let children light fireworks. Do not allow young people unsupervised access to fireworks.
11. Remember that sparklers burn at temperatures more than 1000°C – make sure to wear gloves when holding them and have a bucket of water nearby to quench them when they are burnt out. Sparklers cause more injuries every year than fireworks.
Have a safe and responsible celebration!
Robin Gonard - Inspector of Explosives
Extras Notes from the States Veterinary Officer
1. A proportion of companion animals (dogs/cats/rabbits/guinea-pigs/horses etc.) fear loud sounds, typically fireworks and thunder. It is impossible to predict which animals will develop sound phobias but it usually takes multiple loud sounds to sensitise an animal. When exposed to loud sounds phobic animals become fearful and anxious.
2. It is important to keep sound phobic animals in a safe and secure environment that will ideally muffle the sounds. However, animals must not be confined to small spaces as confinement heightens their anxiety. For instance, keep your dog in the house, draw the curtains, turn up the television but let the dog wander from room to room as it wants.
3. Owners must be careful not to reinforce the phobia by trying to reassure fearful animals. If you fuss over your dog when it is fearful you will simply reinforce its feeling that there is something to be fearful about. Carry on as normal and your dog will follow your example that there’s nothing to fear.
4. Owners of sound phobic dogs could try to desensitise them months before any noisy event. This should be done with the assistance of an animal behaviourist.
5. If you’ve left it too late to desensitise your dog you could try anxiolytic medication such as ‘Zylkene’ and behavioural aids such as ‘DAP Diffusers or Collars’ and ‘Thundershirts’.
6. Liaise with neighbours if you have a sound phobic animal so they can moderate the use of noisy fireworks and limit the duration of their display.
7. Pick up firework or party debris the next day to avoid any injuries to wildlife.
On Tuesday 12th November 2019 at 630pm we have a volunteer induction evening and for more information and additional induction dates please visit http://gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or call 257261
Post new comment