The impact of fireworks 

Bonfire night for many is an annual fun night out but for a veteran experiencing PTSD, it can be a time to dread. Unexpected flashes of light, loud noises, and the smell of fireworks and bonfires can bring back painful and traumatic memories of combat.  

What’s more current legislation allows for fireworks to be sold to the public from 15 October to 10 November each year - as well as around other annual festivals - so veterans face a challenging month when private displays can be set off at any time. This distress can be compounded by its coincidence with the period of grief surrounding the commemoration of fallen comrades at Armistice. 

“We see a higher rate of distress in veterans accessing our services at this time of year. The sound and unexpected bangs of fireworks can be reminders of frontline combat where they were exposed to the horrors of war in service to this country.  

“Firework displays bring people together and create a lot of joy for spectators. We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, but we urge the public to understand how distressing noisy fireworks can be for military veterans. We also want to encourage veterans who are struggling with PTSD to reach out for help, as treatment and recovery is possible,” says Dr Naomi Wilson, Clinical Director at Combat Stress.  

RAF veteran Pete knows exactly what the impact can be. For years, November filled him with dread. Because of his PTSD the sound of fireworks didn’t bring celebration; it brought memories of his harrowing deployment to Afghanistan. Each bang took him back to some of the worst moments of his life and he would curl up in a ball. Pete would be affected long after the fireworks stopped, losing weeks of his life to their devastating impact. 

“November used to be a write off for me, what with people knocking on the door for Halloween and fireworks for bonfire night and Diwali,” he says. “Before, I would barely sleep and in 2023 I sat in my car and cried because I was so overwhelmingly anxious. Last year [following treatment with Combat Stress] there was nothing. Fireworks were going off and there just was no reaction.”   

Thanks to our expert help, Pete no longer fears fireworks. This November, he’s encouraging other veterans who feel how he did to seek help, because recovery is possible.

His short film illustrates this https://youtube.com/shorts/nMYRTQsT21w

We understand fireworks can be difficult, so our specialist clinical team have some advice to help prepare someone before and during firework season. 

Our Lead Clinical and Research Occupational Therapist Christie Alkin: “If, and only if, you are confident and able to, in the period leading up to fireworks night you can begin gradually exposing yourself to fireworks in a way that is in your control. You can watch videos or audio clips of fireworks with the sounds turned down, each day gradually turning the volume up as you feel able, 

“This gradual and repeated exposure can help the brain to recognise the sights and sounds as safe, loosening the connection with experiences of the past.” 

We would encourage people to enjoy organised firework events instead of letting off their own fireworks. But if you’re planning your own private display, please let your neighbours know in advance. This will take away the element of surprise and can make things much easier for everyone to manage.