The Scottish SPCA have issued some advice ahead of Guy Fawkes night But, as the Scottish SPCA have pointed out, animals are often terrified out of their wits by the sudden loud bangs and explosions which erupt on these occasions. To that end, the animal charity have issued a series of guidelines both for those who own pets and those who organise bonfires and fireworks parties. As usual, much of the information is common sense. But with 90% of vets in Britain calling for tougher restrictions on the sale of fireworks, these are timely tips. As Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent, Mike Flynn, stated: "The current legal noise limit for a firework is 120 decibels. To put this into perspective, a pneumatic drill measures around 100 decibels and people are advised to wear ear protectors when exposed to anything above 80 decibels. Animals have heighted senses and their hearing is much stronger than ours. A dog's hearing is twice as sensitive as a human's and a cat's three times. The bang from a firework is terrifying to an animal and can cause extreme distress. Pets should be kept indoors after dark including animals in outdoor hutches. Close the curtains and put televisions or radios on to provide a distraction. Livestock and horses should be moved into a barn or stable at night if fireworks are likely to be set off in the area. Be thoughtful by warning neighbours in advance, so they can make the necessary arrangements for their pets. In rural areas, be mindful of livestock or horses nearby as the noise from fireworks can cause them to bolt which can result in serious injury. Check bonfires before they are lit for hibernating animals such as hedgehogs, frogs and toads. At present, fireworks can be used in public on any day of the year between the hours of 7am and 11pm, with the laws further relaxed around major occasions such as 5 November, New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali. They can be sold from 15 October to 10 November, from 26 to 31 December and on the days of Chinese New Year and Diwali and the three preceding days. The Scottish SPCA is calling for fireworks sales to be restricted to the week preceding 5 November and not at all afterwards, with the current rules pertaining to New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali remaining unchanged. The charity is also calling for the unlicensed use of fireworks by members of the public to be limited to defined festival periods.