Verona: “Give up firecrackers!”, awareness campaign against the use of firecrackers and fireworks

Even this year The Municipality of Verona promotes the initiative against New Year's Eve firecrackers: "Give up the firecrackers!", which involves the posting of posters throughout the city and the dissemination of images and messages on all the main social networks and on the digital totems of the Municipality with the aim of raising awareness among all citizens, starting with the youngest, on the ban on the use of firecrackers, pyrotechnics and explosive material.

Unfortunately it is still widespread, the habit in our country of celebrating New Year's Eve using firecrackers and fireworks which, in addition to putting at risk the safety and security of people who use them, have serious repercussions on the health and security of domestic and wild animals, as well as vulnerable people such as the elderly, people suffering from autism and those with heart problems.

“Since last year – he introduced Councilor Giuseppe Rea with the delegation for Animal Welfare - the Municipality has chosen, thus interrupting a past custom, to celebrate New Year's Eve in Piazza Bra without the use of fireworks and explosive/pyrotechnic material. Also this year the Municipality of Verona is promoting the initiative against New Year's Eve firecrackers 'Give up firecrackers!', which includes the posting of posters throughout the city and the maximum diffusion through social media and digital totems of the Municipality of images and messages, which aim to reach the hearts of people, with the aim of raising awareness among all citizens, starting with the youngest, on the ban on the use of firecrackers, fireworks and explosive material.

It should be noted that we have found that, in the events and festivals, including summer ones, held during this year in the Districts, it was decided not to use fireworks. A demonstration that the path taken of respecting everyone is the right one and shared by the vast majority of Veronese, who want to spend the festive moments in serenity with their loved ones, whether human or animal, with a choice of responsibility and attention towards those around us".

“In particular, with regard to animals, – he explained Romano Giovannoni, president of the Council for the Protection of Animals of the Municipality of Verona and of Enpa Verona who runs the Verona Dog Shelter – are terrified by the explosions. These may involve, over to risks such as cardiac arrest, also states of anxiety and confusion, resulting in unpredictable behaviors, such as running away. Domestic animals, but also wild animals, can run away, putting their own lives at risk, but also those of people. In fact, they can become the cause of road accidents".

Dog owners are therefore asked to always keep their dogs on a leash during their walks, precisely to avoid possible escapes in the event of firecrackers going off.

"We remind you that the leash is mandatory by law – he commented Massimiliano D'Errico, commander of the OIPA Zoofile Guards of Verona – and, as far as possible, of keep them indoors, not even alone in the garden, and stay close to them, especially on the night of December 31st, when the noises are unfortunately continuous and more intense. Furthermore, l'exploding firecrackers and fireworks is a prohibited activity which, except for expressly authorized shows, entail a fine of 200 euros, as provided for by art. 30bis of the Urban Police Regulations”.