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Expert makes fireworks plea
A wildlife expert is appealing for youngsters to urge their parents to only attend organised firework displays this year to help protect animals and the environment.
Andy Meads runs the Safewings Wildlife Conservation Projects in Isham.
The charity helps with the rehabilitation of more than 4,000 animals a year.
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Mr Meads said: "We hope that schools and pupils will support our call to see only organised firework displays over the bonfire period and New Year celebrations.
"More than 25,000 domestic animals suffer each year in the UK, due solely to the public's use of fireworks in their gardens and we hope that pupils will call on their parents to take them to an organised event where the noise and flashes are contained in one area and in a short timescale."
Safewings is the only specific wild bird specialist in the region and the only Northamptonshire-based animal welfare organisation which was invited to be a consultant in the new Animal Welfare Act.
Its work is linked with conservation and also directly with the rehabilitation and release of wildlife.
Mr Meads said: "We are told constantly about the damage we, as people, are doing to our world and how serious a matter global warming and climate change are becoming."
Mr Meads added that the pollution from the manufacture of fireworks and the smoke they emit also cause numerous problems.
He said: "This is a real threat for people with asthma or multiple chemical sensitivity.
"Smoke from fireworks combustion may contain a mixture of sulphur-coal compounds, traces of heavy metals and other toxic chemicals or gases.
"Water pollution can occur as firework fallout can contaminate water supplies and residue on the ground can end up in our lakes, rivers or oceans.
"Fireworks can exceed 140 decibels and noise at 85 decibels or above can damage hearing."
For more information visit www.uksafari.com/safewings.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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