For fireworks enthusiasts, the lights and sounds of a beautiful display all go hand in hand – but for the sick and elderly, young children and pet owners, the persistent thud of nearby petards is more menace than marvel.

Now, a radical solution to the problem has emerged from the small town of Collechio in Italy. As a way of reducing the severe stress experienced by animals during festivals and events, the town recently introduced new legislation forcing citizens to use only silent fireworks.

The company which produces the silent fireworks claims its pyrotechnics create a spectacular light show without the deafening sounds normally associated with a firework display.

This is not the first time such a step has been taken. Disneyland Paris has experimented with noiseless fireworks after complaints from neighbours, while the Birmingham Botanical Gardens went silent for its last Bonfire Night celebration in an effort to attract families with young children.

Could similar attempts be made in Malta? For the volunteers at the Island Sanctuary animal shelter, eliminating loud noises from the frequent traditional firework displays would be music to the ears.

“People will still be able to enjoy fireworks without stressing out animals,” said Gloria Bugeja. “During the last fireworks festival, many of the dogs were curled up together shivering; we had to give some of them tranquilisers because they were tearing at the doors.”

It’s not just animals that could benefit. Marvin Formosa, head of the gerontology department at the University of Malta, said that for frail or vulnerable people, loud firework displays in close proximity could be highly disturbing.

“Persons with dementia, in particular, may confuse the noise with some calamity,” Dr Formosa said. “Since they sometimes can’t distinguish between fireworks and something dangerous, the noise could make them feel anxious and even lead to aggressive behaviour.”

Calling for more research on acceptable decibel levels for firework displays, Dr Formosa said older people and those in end-of-life care were often especially vulnerable. “When you’re in palliative care, having a quiet atmosphere is obviously beneficial,” he said.

Addressing the noise pollution associated with fireworks would go some way towards minimising the environmental impact. Research carried out at the University pointed to widespread chemical contamination in the environment, including toxic substances that are known to be a health concern, especially to pregnant women, and which can contaminate food and water.

As beneficial as it may seem to some, however, firework enthusiasts are not keen on the suggestion. “Fireworks are beautiful partly because of the sounds,” Josef Camilleri, president of the Malta Pyrotechnics Association, insisted.

Mr Camilleri said he was not aware of any experiments with silent displays in Malta and that, at usual decibel levels, it would take two hours of continuous noise to do harm to people or animals.

“It’s a Maltese tradition going back hundreds of years,” he said. “Maybe people who don’t like fireworks can make a sacrifice for the few short months when there are many displays. We need more appreciation for the talent and hard work of our firework makers.”