FESTIVE FIREWORKS

⚠ *Fireworks Alert*⚠

Good Evening fellow Community members

It's fireworks time again with celebrations coming up.

*Diwali*

24th and 25th October 2022

*Guy fawkes day*

05 November 2022

For those lighting fireworks please do so responsibly and abide to the bylaws and also be respectful towards your neighbours, animals, etc.

Residents are reminded to take note of the City of Johannesburg fireworks bylaws, which allows for the use of fireworks between 19h00 and 22h00 for both Diwali and Guy Fawkes.

Please note that law enforcement cannot stop people from celebrating Diwali and Guy Fawkes or lighting fireworks on their property if they abide by the municipal by-laws and stick to the stipulated times.

Please keep your pets in a bit earlier just in case.

*HOW TO HELP YOUR PET DURING A FIREWORKS DISPLAY*

If your pets are sensitive to fireworks and loud noises (as many are), keep them inside with the windows and curtains closed and the TV on.

You can also chat to your local vet about sedatives that can be given prior to firework displays.

*Other ideas:*

Stay calm, act normally and give lots of praise for calm behavior.

Avoid leaving your pet alone during such potentially upsetting events. If you do have to leave the house, don’t get angry with your pet if you find they have been destructive after being left on its own. Shouting at a frightened pet will only make them more stressed.

Don’t tie your dog up outside while fireworks are being let off.

Pet microchips should be up-to-date and they should wear collars and tags in case they run away.

Taking dogs for walks on a lead in the early evening.

Remain calm. While it maybe tempting to comfort a spooked cat or dog, this can actually be counter-productive. Both ‘mollycoddling’ and punishing a frightened pet could reinforce negative behavior.

Give smaller pets extra bedding to burrow into so they feel safe.

The full list of days and times where fireworks are allowed:

_Diwali from 7pm to 10pm

Christmas Eve from 7pm to 10pm

Day of Goodwill from 7pm to 10pm

New Year’s eve from 11pm to 1am

New Year’s Day from 7pm to 10pm

Chinese new year from 7pm to 10pm

Human Rights day from 7pm to 10pm

Freedom Day from 7pm to 10pm

Guy Fawkes Day from 7pm to 10pm