Fair point Rapaire. a realtive of mine even had trouble with slammed doors. Still, as you said, the key is preparation, not to surprise them.

Tunesmith - obviously some sort of compromise is needed. A period when the public is allowed to set off fireworks freely around certain festivities; then the rest of the year when exceptions could be made for weddings, parties on permit from the police (who would have to take into account the number of requests, the location etc.)

Ard mhacha - I have a cat and she doesn't seem to be troubled by them. But that's just her, I guess. I thought Guy Fawkes was the big thing up north (in certain areas anyway)? Maybe they've nothing left after the July 12th....