For most people, the end of the year party, such as New Year’s Eve, marked by great celebrations – is a time of joy, excitement and fraternization. But part of the community of living beings can experience situations of extreme suffering on these occasions, leading to severe injuries, sequelae and even deaths, due to the noise caused by firecrackers and exploding fireworks.
The lights that herald the new year, a centuries-old tradition around the world, are not usually positive for domestic and wild animals, nor for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or those with high sensitivity to sound. The matter is serious, it worries experts, guardians, victims and mobilizes authorities, including the National Congress, which is analyzing a bill to ban pyrotechnic devices that emit very loud sounds.
Animals have a much greater hearing range than humans. In the case of dogs, for example, they can hear sounds up to four times further away than hearing and at much higher frequencies. Furthermore, according to experts, they do not understand the origin of the noise, which worsens the feeling of danger. It is as if they were facing an imminent threat, with no possibility of escape or protection.
“Fireworks with explosions cause great suffering to animals due to their extremely sensitive hearing. They can capture sound frequencies that we do not perceive, and the sudden and loud noise of fireworks is interpreted as a threat. This can generate reactions such as extreme fear, panic and even physical pain. Many go into despair, trying to escape, which can cause serious accidents, such as falls or hanging from collars, in extreme cases, animals with heart or respiratory problems can even suffer fatal collapses”, describes Professor Neander. Oíbio, master and professional in veterinary medicine.
Comprehensive impact
A survey by the Petlove Group, released just over a week ago, shows that the majority of domestic animals are afraid of fireworks and react in some way. The survey interviewed around 1,200 tutors across the country.
According to the numbers, 72.7% of the tutors interviewed indicated that the pets they try to hide in a safer place when they hear fireworks, 58.1% appear scared or “lost” in the environment and 52.3% have tremors resulting from this panic situation. Attempts to escape and seek human laps appear next, in 37.2% and 36.1% of cases, respectively.
In the rural area of Planaltina, administrative region of the Federal District, activist Andréia Maia and her family maintain the Noah’s Ark Institutea temporary shelter for pets abandoned, which currently has around 400 dogs and 100 cats.
“We have already lost two animals that were convulsing because of the noise of fireworks on New Year’s Eve”, he reports. “We usually go into kennels, we try to reassure, but little works,” he adds. Even in rural areas, but close to urban centers, the use of firecrackers and fireworks occurs, with little that can be done. “We called 190 [Polícia Militar] They don’t even appear here”, he protests.
In DF, a 2020 law prohibits the sale, handling, burning and releasing of fireworks or pyrotechnic devices with noise, with the exception of those that have visual effects without sound, or with a lower intensity (up to 100 decibels). In addition to being an illegal practice, commercialization constitutes a crime under article 253 of the Penal Code, with a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment.
Experts interviewed by the report point out that the impact of explosions varies between fauna species and, of course, between humans, depending on the profile. Canines tend to show fear more visibly, by barking, crying or trying to escape. Cats, on the other hand, tend to hide and may present more subtle, but no less worrying, behavioral changes.
“Kittens suffer a lot from the noise and ‘explosions’ of fireworks, as they believe it is a dangerous situation. So, they run to save themselves, their hearts are racing. Many get lost from home, others are seriously injured, and There are those who cannot resist and die, having a heart attack due to the heavy discharge of adrenaline and the like in the body”, reports professor Juliane Araripe, who coordinates the organization Feline Maternitya network of independent volunteer protectors, operating in Brasília, who work to rescue, foster and forward responsible cat donations. The collective currently has 150 sheltered animals.
Wild suffering
Birds are among the most affected species, because they are extremely sensitive to loud noises, and can suffer heart attacks due to stress, abandon their nests and lose flight orientation, crashing into trees and other obstacles. In rural environments, livestock, such as horses, cattle and chickens, can become desperate, resulting in injuries and deaths.
“Mammals and reptiles can go into a state of panic, hiding in inappropriate places, which leaves them more exposed to predators or accidents. Furthermore, fires with repeated explosions alter natural behavior patterns, such as feeding, reproduction and migration. This It generates long-term impacts on the environmental balance. It is important to remember that, unlike domestic animals, wild animals do not have anyone to intervene to minimize their suffering”, warns veterinarian Neander Oíbio. In environmentally protected areas, loud sound is considered an environmental crime and is subject to fines.
Autism and sensory disorders
At 34 years old, self-employed Mila Guimarães, from Belo Horizonte, remembers the suffering caused by the noise of firecrackers, or “rockets”, as they are called in Minas Gerais. Level 2 autistic and also diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), she reports a lifetime of experiencing moments of panic around New Year’s and other moments of public celebrations.
“What I can say about fireworks is that they are extremely disturbing, they leave me bewildered, they give me anxiety, fear, sadness. I’ve ended up in the hospital several times”, he says. “My mother tells me that since I was little I asked about these fireworks and her answer was that it was a tradition. For someone who is autistic, like me, that answer was never appropriate. It’s not that because it’s a tradition that it always has to be the Same thing, there may be adaptations to improve the quality of life of those who suffer from noise. I don’t understand why there are still fireworks being used at these times”, he adds.
“Autism, in itself, already brings sensitivity, especially auditory sensitivity. And this sensitivity, like autism itself, responds to a spectrum, which can range from a little discomfort in a noisier environment to not being able to stand being in a noisy environment. in which people are talking, conversing, even hearing sounds from a distance”, explains psychiatrist Ana Aguiar, herself a neurodivergent person, also with autism, and one of the pioneers in diagnosing and monitoring people on the autism spectrum in adulthood .
“When a click like this occurs, many sensations can be perceived in autistic people, from headache, sensation of pins and needles in the head, sensation of disorientation, and this is extremely dangerous, because if the person has not been guided throughout their life about what they have sensitivity, she won’t know how to act at that moment”, argues the doctor.
Campaign against stampede
In addition to the DF, other units of the federation, such as Goiás and Amapá, as well as cities such as São Paulo, Campo Grande, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre and Curitiba have legislation that prohibits the manufacture and sale of fireworks that explode above a certain sound volume.
In October this year, the Federal Senate approved a bill, authored by Senator Randolfe Rodrigues (Rede-AP), which prohibits, throughout the national territory, the manufacture, trade, transportation, handling and use of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices that produce noise. Fires intended for export are excluded from this veto. Under the proposal, any company that fails to comply with the legislation will be subject to a fine of up to 20% of gross revenue. Anyone who uses the products may be fined between R$2,500 and R$50,000. The text is now under analysis in the Chamber of Deputies.
In an action that seeks to ensure more inclusive and respectful celebrations, the Instituto Cultural e do Bem-Estar Animal (ICBEM), which operates in Brasília, launched a broad awareness campaign against the use of fireworks with noise. In addition to demanding monitoring of local legislation, the campaign also promotes the use of low-energy fires, without causing harm to the health and well-being of people and animals. “Luminous fireworks offer an equally beautiful and more inclusive spectacle, aligning tradition with social responsibility”, says Gleison Willy, president of the institute.
Guidelines
While ensuring celebrations free from fireworks is still a distant reality, experts provide guidance on how to prevent or minimize the impact of these noises. In the case of pets, it is important to prepare a safe environment indoors for the animal.
“Create a space where he feels protected, with access to blankets or a closed space, such as a small room. Softer sounds, such as relaxing music or the sound of the TV, can help mask the noise of fireworks. In cases more serious cases, the owner should seek veterinary advice”, recommends veterinarian Neander Oíbio.
Some behavioral therapies and medications that help reduce pets’ anxiety at these times. And another measure is containment is the use of compression bands or “calming clothes”, which give the animal a feeling of security.
In the case of people with very sensitive hearing, psychiatrist Ana Aguiar’s tip is preparation and predictability. “If you are at a New Year’s party and you know there are going to be fireworks, prepare as much as possible, about how long it will last, how far you will be from the noise, whether you will hear a lot or a little and how much you can bear It is essential to know your own body and its limits”, he observes.
For six years now, Mila Guimarães, who is autistic, says she always uses noise-cancelling headphones. This way, she enjoys the lights of the fireworks without being bothered by the bangs. This is also a recommendation from Ana Aguiar. As an alternative to headphones, there are in-ear plugs that can be useful to reduce the impact of fireworks sounds.
