SAINSBURY’S has confirmed it won’t be selling fireworks this year in a move that’s been praised by shoppers.
Pet owners are calling the decision the “best news ever” after the supermarket announced no fireworks will be sold in any of its 2,300 stores.
One shopper took to Twitter to thank Sainsbury’s after being told by her local branch in Stanmore, London, that the reason behind the move was to avoid distressing animals.
Fellow customers have now asked other supermarkets to follow suit.
One person tweeted: “Sainsbury’s have to say well done and thank you.
“Been informed local branch Stanmore won’t be selling fireworks this year due to the distress it causes our pets and wildlife.
“Any other stores doing this? Can’t thank you enough as my dog is beside herself with fear at these times.”
@sainsburys Have to say well done & thank you. Been informed local branch #Stanmore won’t b selling fireworks this year due 2 the distress it causes our pets & wildlife. Any other stores doing this? Can’t thank you enough as my dog is beside herself with fear at these times.
— Sally Woolf (@Sallymcb) October 14, 2019
Another pet owner tweeted: “Hi Sainsburys this is the best news ever.
“Every owner of an anxious dog or pet will be so thankful of this and I hope other supermarkets follow.”
While someone else said: “Just wanted to say well done, Sainsbury’s for not selling fireworks this year.
“I know most pets would agree. Hope other retailers take not and follow suit.”
Another person added: “Thank you so much for putting safety before profit & choosing not to sell fireworks this year.
“Animals, elderly, and vulnerable people suffer needlessly around this time of year, so to hear about this was fantastic.
“I can only hope other supermarkets etc follow suit.”
The Sun has approached Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, M&S and the Co-Op for a comment.
What does the law say about buying fireworks?
IT is currently legal for shops to sell fireworks - and you to buy them - as long as they abide by a strict set of rules set by the Government.
If you break the law, you could face a £5,000 fine and up to six months in prisons. The rules are:
- You need to be 18 or older to buy them,
- It’s illegal to set them off between 11p and 7am except on certain occassions,
- You must not set them off in the street,
- The curfew is extented to midnight on Bon Fire night,
- The cut off is 1am on New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year,
- You can only buy fireworks from registered sellers between October 15 and November 10, December 26 until December 31 and three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year,
- You can buy fireworks at other times of the year from licensed shops.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “Fireworks are no longer available in our stores but customers can continue to choose from a range of seasonal products, such as glow sticks and light up spinning wands.”
The ban comes after more than 750,000 people signed a petition earlier this year to ban shops from selling fireworks.
There were another 11 petitions that closed in 2018 calling for the same thing, the most popular of which received 113,000 signatures alone.
The Government says that it recognises the concerns but it also feels the rules already “strikes the right balance” between safety, enjoyment and the religion significance.
RSPCA research shows 45 per cent of dogs display signs of fear during Bonfire Night.
While the Alzheimer’s Society notes that fireworks can be upsetting and confusing for elderly people with dementia.
Abbie King, Product Manager from Ceva said “Bonfire Night is a very challenging night for our pets, due to the unpredictable, loud sounds of fireworks and the unusual smells from bonfires and sparklers.
“Our survey has now shown that Bonfire Night is the most distressing occasion for pets during the year.”
MORE ON MONEY
If you’re wondering about the rules of fireworks, here’s the law around setting off fireworks in the street.
Why do we have firework displays to celebrate Guy Fawkes night?
And here’s how to enjoy Bonfire Night with the family without burning your cash.