Fireworks displays: Chelmsford plea for one-hour limit at homes

Residents of a city are being asked to restrict their fireworks displays to just one hour this year.

Chelmsford City Council's Rocket O'Clock campaign aims to keep displays "to a reasonable time", which it says is between 19:30 and 20:30 GMT this Friday and Saturday.

The time coincides with public displays in the Essex city on those two days.

The council said Rocket O'Clock is not a legal requirement, but a "request to please be considerate of others".

Rose Moore, cabinet member for Greener and Safer Chelmsford, said, "Fireworks can be upsetting for a lot of households.

"While many are out enjoying the lights and colours, there are others spending their November evenings trying to comfort shaking dogs, supporting a child or adult with sensory issues through the overwhelming noise, or experiencing unpleasant memories because their PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] is triggered by fireworks.

"Realistically, we know we can't stop people having fireworks at home - the law doesn't support it and of course many people safely enjoy them.

"Rocket O'Clock isn't a legal requirement - it's a request to please be considerate of others. It helps families to know when to expect fireworks, it limits the time window when distress is caused and as a bonus, displays look better together."

This is the second year the council has run the campaign.

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