November brings warmer evenings, the start of the festive season and Guy Fawkes Day on 5 November. While fireworks may form part of celebrations for some, their impact can extend far beyond the property where they are being used.
For pets, wildlife, young children, elderly residents and people who are sensitive to sudden loud noises, fireworks can be frightening and distressing. There are also important fire and safety considerations for our homes and neighbourhood.
As the Randpark Ridge Residents Association, we believe that enjoying our community also means being considerate of the people, animals and environment around us. With Guy Fawkes Day approaching, it is a good time to remind ourselves of both responsible neighbourliness and the City of Johannesburg’s fireworks by-laws.
🎇 What residents need to know 🎇
Based on the City of JHB Bylaw, Guy Fawkes Day is one of the approved days on which fireworks may be used without special permission, between 19:00 and 22:00.
However, an approved day does not mean that fireworks may be used anywhere.
The Bylaws highlights important restrictions and penalties:
- R500 fine: Using fireworks outside approved days or permitted timeframes.
- R1,000 fine: Igniting fireworks where animals are present or near hospitals or old-age homes.
- R1,500 fine: Igniting fireworks within 500 metres of petrol stations, depots or explosives facilities, or allowing minors to ignite fireworks.
If your property falls within one of the grey areas on the RRA map, the restrictions above mean that fireworks may not be set off from that location.
🐾 Remember our pets 🐾
For many animals, fireworks are not entertainment.
Sudden flashes and loud explosions can cause frightened pets to hide, attempt to escape or behave unpredictably. Residents planning to use fireworks should therefore consider not only their own pets but also animals living on neighbouring properties.
Likewise, pet owners can prepare before Guy Fawkes evening by:
- bringing pets indoors before celebrations begin;
- checking gates, fences and identification tags;
- creating a secure, familiar space indoors;
- closing curtains and windows to reduce flashes and noise; and
using familiar background sound to help mask sudden bangs.
🦉 Don't forget our local wildlife 🦉
Owls and other nocturnal birds:
Sudden explosions and flashes can disturb birds while they are resting, roosting or hunting. Startled birds may take flight unexpectedly in darkness, increasing the risk of disorientation and collisions. Studies have documented birds leaving their normal roosting sites and displaying abnormal flight behaviour during fireworks
Hadedas and garden birds:
Birds resting communally in trees can be startled into taking flight en masse. Research has documented large-scale flight responses to fireworks, with some birds travelling considerable distances from their normal resting areas.
Bats:
As nocturnal animals, bats are active at the very time most fireworks are set off. Sudden noise, light and human activity can disturb normal night-time wildlife behaviour. Fireworks research increasingly recognises that the impact extends beyond birds to bats and other wild animals.
Frogs:
Summer rains bring frogs back into our gardens, ponds and damp areas. Fireworks introduce intense noise, light and chemical residues into an environment in which amphibians rely heavily on environmental cues. Firework pollutants can also enter soil and water after displays.
Small mammals:
Animals sheltering or feeding in gardens can bolt from cover when startled by explosions. Sudden flight can expose wildlife to traffic, predators and other hazards, while animals caring for young may temporarily leave nests or shelter sites.
Geckos and other small garden creatures:
While the effects of fireworks on these smaller suburban species are less well documented, they share the same garden environment exposed to intense noise, flashes, falling debris and firework residue. It is another reason to be mindful of where fireworks are used.
A community that considers all its residents
Our trees, gardens and green spaces form part of a much bigger suburban ecosystem. The owl calling at night, bats overhead, hadedas settling in the trees and frogs calling after a summer storm are all part of what makes Randpark Ridge home.
Being a considerate community means remembering the residents of Randpark Ridge who don’t have a voice in how we celebrate.
For us, fireworks may last only a few minutes. For wildlife suddenly confronted by loud explosions, flashes and smoke, those few minutes can cause significant disturbance. Birds, in particular, may leave their normal roosting sites or take flight suddenly when startled by fireworks.
This Guy Fawkes Day, let’s enjoy our neighbourhood responsibly and give our wild neighbours a little consideration too.
A few minutes of fun can have wider consequences
Fireworks are not only about noise. They also introduce sparks, burning material and hot debris into the surrounding environment.
Around our homes, gardens, trees, thatch, outdoor furniture and other combustible materials can turn a momentary lapse in judgement into a much bigger problem.
Before setting off any fireworks, residents should therefore consider not only whether they are permitted to do so, but whether the location and surrounding conditions make it safe and responsible to do so.
If in doubt, rather don’t light it.
Being a good neighbour
Perhaps the most important message is not about a fine or a rule. It is simply about consideration.
If you intend celebrating Guy Fawkes Day with fireworks where legally permitted, consider letting your immediate neighbours know in advance. A simple WhatsApp message or conversation gives families time to bring pets indoors, settle young children and prepare those who may be particularly sensitive to sudden loud noise.
And remember:
Permitted does not always mean appropriate in every circumstance.
Sometimes the most neighbourly decision is choosing not to set off fireworks at all.
Let's look out for one another
Randpark Ridge is more than a collection of houses and streets. It is a community shared by families, children, older residents, pet owners and an extraordinary variety of urban wildlife.
The best neighbourhoods are not created by by-laws alone. They are created when people think about how their choices affect those living around them.
This Guy Fawkes Day, let’s respect the applicable City of Johannesburg by-laws, think before we light, look out for our pets and wildlife, and extend a little courtesy to our neighbours.
Celebrate responsibly. Be considerate. Keep Randpark Ridge safe.
Before you light, ask yourself
- Is it legally permitted here and at this time?
- Are there animals nearby?
- Could sparks or debris reach neighbouring properties or vegetation?
- Have I considered neighbours with pets, young children or sensitivities?
- Is there a safer, quieter way for us to celebrate?