Overview
- Emergency services in Gauteng say they will be on high alert, with Ekurhuleni allowing fireworks only between 23:00 and 01:00.
- Police in the Northern Cape warned that fireworks may not be used within 500 metres of sites like hospitals and petrol stations, with crackdowns on illegal sales and use including bans on street vending.
- South Africa–based veterinarian Dr Amir Anwary reported a sharp increase in stress-related cases in dogs, cautioning about panic, injury and the risk of lasting noise phobias.
- The NSPCA and Four Paws urged communities to avoid fireworks and consider quieter options such as light or laser shows, while Tshwane’s New Year crossover festival prohibits fireworks on site.
- Dogs Trust, the PDSA and the Kennel Club advised early walks, creating a safe den, closing windows and blinds, using masking sounds and consulting vets for anxiety or medication, while retailer claims of ‘pet‑friendly’ fireworks were noted but not broadly endorsed by welfare groups.