Keep wildlife safe
It’s not just pets who find fireworks scary. Loud noises and flashes can scare wild animals, and litter can harm them. Here’s how to keep them safe.
Step 1
Rebuild bonfires
Bonfires can be great fun, but if you build them early on, small animals such as hedgehogs and amphibians can use them for shelter. Always ask your grown-up to take bonfires apart and rebuild them in a different place before lighting them, so any wildlife can safely escape.
Step 2
Organise a litter pick
After celebrations, litter often gets left behind. Sparkler wires, firework wrappers and food waste can harm animals. Ask your grown-up to find strong bin bags, thick gloves and a litter-picker (if they can get one) and tidy up your local area together.
Step 3
Don’t use sky lanterns
They might look beautiful, but sky lanterns can harm the environment. They can injure animals, and the open flame can set places on fire. Ask your grown-up to light tealights in jam-jars, or try blowing bubbles instead!
Step 4
Make your display wildlife-friendly
If you’re having a low-noise display at home, check for wildlife in your garden. If you find animals hiding, ask your grown-up to set up your display away from them. Avoid trees, ponds and hedgerows, as these are favourite hiding-places for wild animals.
You could also create extra safe places for wildlife to shelter, away from firework displays – leave areas of your garden a little wild, with piles of leaves, logs and long grass.
