Many people enjoy the booming sounds and flashing colors of fireworks, but they can be terrifying, overwhelming and hazardous for both wild and domestic animals.
On the Fourth of July, many animals become so frightened by the noise and commotion of fireworks that they run from otherwise familiar environments and people, and sadly become lost. They may also suffer devastating or even fatal health effects from the stress.
The sudden bright flashes and sounds can cause wild animals to run into roadways, resulting in more car accidents than normal. Wildlife rehabilitation centers are often flooded with traumatized, injured and orphaned wild animals after the holiday.
Predatory birds, like bald eagles, see the harsh sounds and lights from fireworks as a threat, and may abandon their nests or habitats entirely. The explosions may cause other birds to take off en masse for prolonged periods of time and to use up vital energy reserves needed for survival.
Fireworks have even frightened birds into flying so far out to sea that they did not have the energy to make the return flight. Wild birds frightened by the noise of fireworks will also fly higher and for longer, which exposes them to the harmful cocktail of ingredients in fireworks like ozone, sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide that have caused cardiovascular and respiratory damage, and even death, in humans.
Casings and heavy metals that are littered by fireworks are often mistakenly consumed by wildlife or even fed to their young. Many of these materials are either indigestible and therefore choking hazards, or toxic to the animal, and pollutants from fireworks can be washed into waterways and contaminate drinking water for the animals that rely on it. And in regions of the country prone to wildfires, the slightest ember from a fireworks display can start a blaze that kills many wildlife species and destroys their habitats.
Here are a few simple ways to keep both pets and wildlife safe during festivities from the Fourth of July to New Year’s Eve and everything in between:
- Keep your pet safely away from fireworks — Pets are more sensitive to loud noises, flashing lights and strong smells. On the Fourth of July, and other days people are likely to set off fireworks, it’s best to leave your pets safely indoors, preferably with a radio or TV turned on to soften jarring noises. If you’re unable to leave your pet unattended at home, keep them leashed and under your direct control at all times.
- If your pet is scared by fireworks, ask a veterinarian for help — There are medications and techniques that might help alleviate your pet’s fear and anxiety.
Nostalgia
“There is a certain nostalgia — we, in the United States especially, have held onto this idea of big, booming fireworks as part of a celebration of what our country is,” says Preston Moore, Iowa state director for the Humane Society of the United States. “But think about the impact past your own yard.”
In residential areas, all nearby pets can be affected by one person’s fun. Animal shelters may see an influx of lost dogs who bolt, and some animals might become the victims — or even causes — of car accidents.
While fear of loud noises such as thunder or fireworks can be mitigated from inside the home by creating a safe space or playing music to soften the sounds, animals who live outdoors have no escape — but that doesn’t stop them from trying.
“I’ve seen my horses take off at a gallop around their field, watching them with my heart in my throat worried they would crash through a fence or trip and break a leg. It is horrifying every Fourth of July,” says Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) Maryland state director.
Studies also show that fireworks can have a devastating impact on wildlife. They can disrupt migration patterns in some bird species, and individuals who survive mid-air collisions with the explosives have been found badly burned. Wildlife rehabilitators may also take in more orphaned wildlife, such as young birds and squirrels whose parents flee.
Polution
Fireworks also pollute soil, water and air, and they can harm humans: Their components have caused cardiovascular and respiratory damage, even death.
Some states are pushing back. When Iowa legalized consumer-grade fireworks in 2017, Cedar Rapids residents saw an immediate uptick in disruptive backyard displays, says Moore, noting that they can be tough for veterans experiencing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). That same year, public outcry from animal lovers led the city to decide fireworks wouldn’t be allowed within city limits.
Pennsylvania legalized consumer fireworks in 2017. Since then, fireworks have caused barn fires, vehicle collisions with spooked horses and a fireworks-related fire that killed a child in summer 2021.
In response, residents have formed groups such as Stop Philly Fireworks, a grassroots task force supporting legislation that would institute reasonable controls that include prohibiting fireworks during certain times and increasing penalties for violations. It’s also a top priority for the Municipal League, where coalition partners — including the HSUS — have “worked together to really focus on how we’re going to move this legislation forward,” according to Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania state director.