29 September 2026

The lowdown on low-noise fireworks!

Redwings is encouraging anyone who enjoys fireworks to embrace low-noise products as a way of celebrating while also reducing potential harm to horses, pets, wildlife and vulnerable people. 

What exactly are low-noise fireworks? 

As the name suggests, low-noise fireworks offer visual impact without the big bangs.

Firework noise is measured in decibels (dB) The current limit on fireworks available in shops is 120dB. This is the limit of what is safe for children to be exposed to according to the World Health Organisation.

Many animals have more sensitive hearing than humans. Horses ears are believed to increase the sound they perceive by around 10 – 20dB.

Low-noise fireworks are generally around 70 – 90dB. Decibels are measured in a way that means a drop of 10dB actually halves the sound that we hear, so low-noise fireworks produce less than a quarter of the noise of a 120dB firework.

Does low-noise really make a difference? 

Enjoying fireworks without the big bangs can make a huge difference to keeping nearby animals and people safe.

Horse owner and Redwings supporter Maizie Brown thinks knows exactly how much of a difference a low-noise display can make and believes they can even save lives. When she heard a display was planned nearby in 2024, Maizie moved her eight horses as far away from the site of the display as she could, but it couldn’t stop their fear when the fireworks started going off.

“The display felt like the longest ten minutes of my life.” Maizie said. “They were the loudest fireworks I had ever heard. All the horses were in complete panic mode, distressed, sweated up and one of them ended up with a nosebleed. I was terrified one of them was going to end up seriously injured, or worse.”

“After the display, I spoke to the organiser and thankfully they agreed to use low-noise fireworks in the future. They were true to their word and the low-noise display in 2025 was a completely different experience. They were still alert and stood watching the fireworks going off, but they didn’t panic and five minutes after the display ended, they were relaxed and grazing as normal. It was such a relief and I’m incredibly grateful that the display organisers take nearby animals into account when planning their event now. I honestly believe low-noise fireworks can provide fun without risking lives and limbs.” 

How do low-noise fireworks compare to loud fireworks? 

Some of the really big firework effects such as huge bursts aren’t possible without a bang. But you might be surprised how varied and impressive low-noise displays can be! 

Low-noise fireworks are evolving all the time. As one fireworks retailer says: ‘The low-noise fireworks available today are dramatically better than what was on offer even five years ago. Manufacturers are investing heavily in this category because demand keeps growing… far from being a poor substitute, some of the best visual effects in modern pyrotechnics are actually low noise by nature.’ 

A low-noise display isn’t a silent display. There will still be some noise with any firework display. It’s not physically possible to propel the firework into the sky and create an effect without some pressure - and that means some noise. So even if using low-noise fireworks, consideration for neighbouring animals, people and wildlife is still important.

Loving low noise! 

Did you know that TV personality Olivia Bowen celebrated with low-noise fireworks when she wed her Love Island co-star Alex in 2018? Olivia says it was either low-noise fireworks or no fireworks at all for their big day because of the risk she knew loud bangs would pose to nearby animals.

Watch our special video of Olivia’s conversation with Redwings Campaigns Manager Helen to find out what their wedding guests thought of the display, and why Olivia is now even more passionate about making more people aware of low-noise fireworks.

You can find tips on selecting low-noise fireworks in our joint blog with James Turver from Galactic Fireworks.

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Redwings Press Office

For all enquiries please contact lplumtree@redwings.co.uk

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