What is the big deal with fireworks?

Fireworks, sparks, and loud “booms,” are part of holiday celebrations and festivities in Puerto Rico and many places all over the world. A few places have prohibited consumer use of fireworks or pyrotechnics without a permit, and others have restricted use to certain times of the year. Pyrotechnics are legal in Puerto Rico, but the law limits the type allowed, and also limits their purchase and use to certain times of the year.

Should they be allowed at all? On the one hand, they produce anxiety and distress for persons and animals that cannot process what is happening, why it is happening, or what the outcome will be. On the other hand, the noise or “show” usually lasts no more than 30 minutes, and does provide enjoyment to whoever is throwing the fireworks or watching the show.

They have never affected me.

I’ve never thought much of harm done by fireworks. I don’t dislike them. I’ve never been around anyone negatively affected. However, one year ago I encountered the first and only animal I’ve seen dead after a fireworks display. At around 1 a.m. New Years Day 2021, I found a dead cat in the street that I knew hadn’t been lying there dead in 2020.

The fireworks display that night went on for an unusually long time, and there were a lot of them. I concluded that the fireworks spooked the cat. She must have run out into the street, and a car must have hit her. For some reason, this made the death more tragic. After all, fireworks displays are not cars. They are completely unnecessary, frivolous shows. While throwing fireworks is not the most damaging thing we do to animals, the environment, or to each other, they are probably one of the easiest things to forgo. After all, we only use or look at them two or three times a year. Would we even miss them that much?

So, leading up to New Years 2022, I’m covering fireworks for Paws In PR’s first blog post, and will get right into it. We are going to look at:

• What are pyrotechnics and how they affect animals
• How Puerto Rico regulates the transport, selling and use of pyrotechnics
• Future legislative possibilities
• What you can do
• References to other animal groups that have shared information on pyrotechnics.

What are pyrotechnics?

Pyrotechnics is the fabrication and use of fireworks and explosive materials, that produce blasts, loud sounds, sparks, whistles, smoke, at times accompanied by colors. It is the loud sound that characterizes pyrotechnics, and which makes their use controversial.

Do pyrotechnics affect animals?

All loud, unexpected sounds will affect animals that do not understand what is happening, where the noise is coming from, and whether they are in danger. Therefore, it is common for companion animals, wildlife, and animals in captivity to suffer from anxiety and disorientation during fireworks displays.

Dogs, cats and horses are able to hear frequencies we cannot. While we can only register frequencies of up to around 20,000 or 23,000 hertz, dogs are able to hear frequencies between 45,000 and 67,000. Generally, fireworks produce sounds that measure between 150-175 decibels. If these numbers do not mean much to you, consider that sounds that may be comfortable for your ears, are jarring to those of others, causing emotional anguish and feelings of anxiety. Additionally, the World Health Organization considers sounds that reach 150 decibels unsafe.

Fireworks are even more terrifying for those animals that are not able to seek cover, comfort, and are unable to escape the sounds. For example, in 2020, a baby zebra died when it ran into her enclosure during a firework display. Fireworks also startle and disorient birds, causing them to abandon their nests and their offspring. On January 1, 2021, hundreds of starlings died in Rome after the New Year’s Eve celebration.

How does Puerto Rico regulate pyrotechnics?

Enacted in 1963, Act No. 83 regulates use of fireworks and the penalties for violating. Most importantly:

• The average consumer cannot purchase flammable material that shoots and explodes in the air, producing a sound, fire, or both. This includes display fireworks, roman candles, missiles, sparkler lights, rockets and batteries. In order to transport, distribute, sell or purchase these materials, you need authorization.
• Legislation permits the purchase and consumer use of non-explosive material that is not aerial. In other words, material that remains on the ground. Additionally, this pyrotechnic material is only allowed from July 1 to July 31, and from November 15 to January 10.
• Finally, violations of the law are punishable by fines ranging from $500 to $5,000.

How is pyrotechnics regulated federally?

Federal regulations also limit the manufacture, transport, sale and use of fireworks and other pyrotechnics containing large amounts of combustible composition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives administers these regulations.

• Regulations require a license for the use, purchase or transport of all ground pyrotechnics containing more than 50 milligrams of pyrotechnic composition, and all display fireworks and aerial pyrotechnics containing more than 130 milligrams.
• It is also illegal transport pyrotechnics into a state knowing that is prohibited by state law.

What is the future for pyrotechnics in Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico’s Senate is currently considering Bill No. 502. The bill was proposed by Senator Vargas Vidot from the Public Safety and Veteran’s Affairs Committee. If approved by the Senate, sent to Congress and enacted, the bill would prohibit the sale of all pyrotechnic material, except for items that produce visual effects and sounds under 20 decibels. The bill emphasizes the vast amount of illegal pyrotechnics that enter Puerto Rico undetected in spite of current legislation. Additionally, it explains the emotional damages caused to people with disabilities, seniors and young children, as well as their caretakers. The bill also touches upon the physical injuries caused by misusing pyrotechnics, and the harm caused to animals and the environment.

Are people ready to give up firework displays completely, including public displays used to celebrate events? Maybe not. However, completely prohibiting consumer use of fireworks is not that far-fetched. For example, Massachusetts prohibits all consumer use of fireworks or pyrotechnics without a permit for a supervised firework display. The states of Illinois and Vermont prohibit the consumer purchase and use of all pyrotechnics except for sparklers and smoke devices, and other novelty items.

Finally, the Pennsylvania legislature is reviewing a bill that proposes to limit consumer use of fireworks to only four days a year. In 2017, the state relaxed its fireworks law. Since then, there has been a noted increase in noise complaints from seniors, veterans, and people with children and pets. There has also been an increase in injuries, property loss and fires.

What you can do?

• Write to members of Puerto Rico’s Senate asking them to support Bill 502.
• Sign the petition La Pirotecnia Mata. It asks the Puerto Rican government for urgent measures to stop the illegal trafficking of pyrotechnics.
• Create your own informational handout about pyrotechnics and distribute it to members of your community. As a member of your community, you know what your community will react to and what will be engaging for them. Therefore you are the best person transmit a message that will be well-received and foster engagement. For some guidance, the organization Investigadores Crueldad Animal (I.C.A.) offer information and ideas for flyers. The educational project Justa P.R. provides a flyer with visual examples of prohibited material.
• Report illegal activity. Report sales, purchases and use of illegal pyrotechnics to Puerto Rico police. Certain explosives, such as cherry bombs, silver salutes and M-80’s are prohibited by federal law and can be reported to the the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives at ATFTips@atf.gov, or anonymously through their TIPS Application. In addition, you can probably report the suspected transport or receipt by mail of all pyrotechnics prohibited by Puerto Rico law to the Bureau.
• Be proactive about keeping your dog safe. This particular post is not about helping your pet get through a fireworks display, but I cannot leave you without a resource if your have a pet that gets anxious.

• Always stay informed and collaborate with your local animal advocacy groups. Below are Facebook videos and podcasts with additional information on pyrotechnics:

La Pirotecnia: Diversión para algunos, sufrimiento para muchos, by Casa Vegana de La Comunidad.

Proyecto de la Ley 502 (Pirotecnia), by Justa P.R.

Thank you for reading!

I hope you use the information I and other organizations have shared to advocate against the use of pyrotechnics. While the celebration may only last 30 minutes, one minute can make a difference in anyone’s life, and any life has more meaning than a fireworks display. I think we can all agree on that.

If there is an issue that you think I need to cover, contact me and let me know what it is and tell me why you feel so strongly about it. Until next time!