Target: Alexander Hoehn-Saric, Chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Goal: Demand tighter restrictions on the sale of fireworks to curb their negative impact on animal safety and air quality.
This past Fourth of July weekend, nearly 285 million pounds of fireworks were used in consumer displays throughout the United States. While entertaining for some people, these low class explosive devices offer many unintended consequences, and are especially traumatizing for pets and wildlife that are susceptible to loud noises. Companion animals, like cats and dogs, as well as livestock typically get extremely spooked by the unusual sounds, and many of these animals may run away or experience injury as they try to escape the noise. Each year, the RSPCA receives hundreds of calls pertaining to firework-related traumas and injuries.
In wild populations of animals, these effects are felt even more. Animals like birds experience panic attacks throughout the night as a result, leading to mass deaths. Others become so disoriented that they cannot return to their homes, often ending up on busy roadways or crowded buildings. Many species of animals raising babies will flee from their dens or nests, leaving their young particularly vulnerable to predators. Following holidays like the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve where fireworks are typically set off across the nation, wildlife rehabilitation centers are often overwhelmed with an influx of injured and orphaned wild animals.
Fireworks require certain oxidisers known as perchlorates, which end up in our waterways contaminating lakes, rivers, and drinking water in the process. Thousands of fish and other marine animals die from ingesting this toxic debris. Fireworks also affect local air quality and emit nearly 60,340 metric tons of CO2 every year, thus contributing to environmental issues such as global warming.
Regulations vary according to state, with states only providing limited regulations relating to the types and quantities of fireworks that can be used commercially. Sign this petition to demand that all states do more to better regulate the sale of fireworks.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Chairman Hoehn-Saric,
While fireworks provide short-lived entertainment for some, for others, firework displays are the difference between life and death. Each year, hundreds to thousands of scared companion animals and livestock experience severe mental and physical trauma as a result of the loud explosive noises that fireworks release. Many of these animals will run away from their homes or hide to try and escape the unfamiliar sounds. Even worse is the effect these explosive devices have on our wildlife. Animals like birds and bees become extremely disoriented as a result, and others abandon their homes to find “safety” in busy streets, leaving their young behind and vulnerable to predators.
Fireworks are also large contributors to environmental pollution problems, and toxic debris ends up in our waterways, including our drinking water. Large quantities of marine animals and fish die from ingesting this debris. Fireworks release greenhouse gasses, such as CO2, into our atmosphere and affect local air quality through the release of particulates.
Fireworks are still a minimally restricted practice and regulations are currently determined at the state level. We are asking you, Mr. Hoehn-Saric, to please demand that fireworks be more heavily regulated. Our entertainment is not worth all of this suffering.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: ForestWander
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