Keep Horses In Mind - fireworks campaign action pack by

Sign and share petitions

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-11-13 15:12:03 UTC

Petitions really can make a difference so please sign and share! Government petitions can trigger an official response or even a parliamentary debate. Use the search bar to find current petitions relating to fireworks to sign and share.

Contact your MP

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-11-13 15:13:36 UTC

+The more correspondence an MP has on an issue, the more likely they are to take action. Many MPs are calling for tighter fireworks regulations and by raising awareness of individual views and experiences, we can gain even more allies. Use the link to find your MP’s contact details.

Private Members Bills

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-11-13 15:16:24 UTC

MPs working for better regulation of fireworks can introduce Private Members Bills, such as this one from tireless campaigner for change, Sarah Owen MP. Private Members Bills rarely become law, but they are an important way of keeping a topic on the political agenda.

Watch the Redwings petition debate

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-11-13 15:20:04 UTC

Redwings petition asking for the noise of consumer fireworks to be reduced from 120 to 90 decibels was signed by more than 184,000 people and was one of two fireworks petitions debated in parliament on 19th January 2026. Watch the debate recording or read the transcript. Did your MP take part?

Challenging inaccurate statements

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-11-13 15:21:19 UTC

Redwings disputes claims that the Animal Welfare Act already offers protection from the risk of fireworks. A panel of experts explain why the Act isn’t suitable for cases where fireworks have inadvertently caused suffering to an animal in our groundbreaking report.

Record equine incidents

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-11-13 15:32:47 UTC

Please record any incident where a horse is affected by fireworks through the BHS so accurate statistics can be shared with government.

Record incidents affecting other animals

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-11-13 15:33:34 UTC

The RSPCA’s ‘Kind Sparks’ campaign has lots of additional information on their webpage. Stories of other animals such as dogs, cats, smaller pets or farm animals being affected by fireworks can also be shared through the site.

Contact retailers

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-11-13 15:35:11 UTC

As consumers, we have influence. Sainsburys stopped selling fireworks in 2019 in response to growing evidence of their harmful impacts and the views of their shoppers. Encourage other outlets to review their policies too.

Share on socials

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-11-13 15:36:46 UTC

Tag @RedwingsHorseSanctuary when sharing fireworks content on social media and use our #KeepHorsesInMind hashtag.

The bigger picture

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-11-13 15:39:57 UTC

Use and share the Fireworks Impact Coaltion’s infographic showing some of the wide-ranging impacts of fireworks on animals, people and the environment.

Speak to neighbours

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-11-13 15:43:41 UTC

If you have horses in your care, use our template letter to politely ask neighbours to let you know if they are planning to let off fireworks. The letter could also be adapted if you own other animals or have family members who could be distressed by loud fireworks.

Support low-noise fireworks

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-11-13 15:44:53 UTC

Raise awareness of the benefits of low-noise fireworks as an effective compromise to help reduce the stress and tragedy fireworks can cause while still allowing people to enjoy traditional events together.

Join our mailing list

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-11-13 15:45:57 UTC

Keep up to date with Redwings’ campaigns and other ways we work to help horses beyond our sanctuary fences.

Increasing media interest

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-12-09 13:01:37 UTC

Redwings was one of five charities invited to attend the presentation of a petition to Downing Street on 5th November 2024. With well over 1 million signatures, the story also generated more than 500 pieces of media coverage.

Use Redwings' fireworks webpage

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-12-09 13:05:05 UTC

Use and share our special webpage which has even more information and actions to help us achieve change.

Protecting horses from fireworks report

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-12-09 13:15:22 UTC

Further analysis from the Fireworks and Horses survey suggests owners are limited in the protection they can offer their horse when fireworks are let off nearby.

Horses and fireworks study

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-12-09 13:19:44 UTC

Research carried out in New Zealand is one of the few published scientific papers looking at the impact of fireworks on horses.

Fireworks advice leaflet

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-12-09 13:30:51 UTC

Advice on the government's own website says 'fireworks must not be let off near livestock or horses in fields' but without any clarity over what 'near to' means.

Redwings' own experiences

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-12-09 13:35:49 UTC

We captured footage of the distress caused by fireworks on some of our rescued ponies in 2023. Redwings has tragically had to put three horses to sleep in the past because of fireworks. We are committed to keeping our horses safe but know that without better fireworks regulation, there is always a risk to their wellbeing.

A long-term campaign

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-12-10 12:35:48 UTC

Fireworks have been the subject of parliamentary questions and petition debates for more than a decade. MPs and members of the public alike are frustrated by lack of progress on this issue despite clear evidence and widespread support for change.

Horse owner survey findings

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2024-12-18 13:07:44 UTC

Redwings Fireworks and Horses survey was completed by more than 5,000 UK horse owners in just five weeks. Our report sharing initial findings was published in February 2025 and is free to read and download.

Updated Scottish legislation

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2026-02-18 10:15:31 UTC

A new Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Act was introduced in Scotland in 2022. The Act gives local authorities the power to introduce Firework Control Zones, restricting use of fireworks in specified localities. The implementation of a licensing system for private use of fireworks has yet to be implemented.

Fireworks in Ireland

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2026-02-18 10:21:24 UTC

Both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have some of the strictest fireworks regulations in the world, making it an offence to buy, possess or use fireworks without a licence.

The Fireworks Impact Coalition

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2026-02-18 10:41:19 UTC

Redwings is part of a coalition of 19 charities all calling for tighter regulation of fireworks. The organisations represent both humans and animals and host an annual drop-in event for MPs to raise awareness of the issue and give MPs a chance to show their support.

One horse owner's experience

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2026-02-18 10:50:41 UTC

Horse owner Anna explains what happened to her and her pony Leon when a professional fireworks display was held close to a large livery yard in May 2024.

Fireworks film that went viral

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2026-02-18 10:52:45 UTC

Redwings created this film based on footage from a livery yard shared in 2025. The video has been shared thousands of times and seen by more than 3.7 million people.

Fireworks impact film

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2026-02-18 11:25:03 UTC

Our special film shows that fireworks present multiple risks to horses - and their owners. Voiced by fantastic actor and campaign supporter Dan Richardson, the video contains some distressing images.

The case for a new approach

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2026-02-18 13:43:46 UTC

Find out more about the case for low-noise fireworks and alternatives to fireworks such as drones and light shows.

Government research

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2026-02-18 13:46:56 UTC

The Department for Business and Trade regularly conducts and shares its own research into fireworks, including this 2021 report.

RedwingsEdu_Campaigns — 2026-02-18 13:59:17 UTC

Further evidence of the impact of fireworks on equines was published in 2026.