Safe into the New Year: The most important rules for New Year's Eve fireworks!

Safe into the New Year: The most important rules for New Year's Eve fireworks!

The sale of New Year's Eve fireworks begins in Germany on December 29th, and everything revolves around the motto "Small fireworks - big joy". The Ministry of Environment and Health calls on people to celebrate responsibly and to pay attention to the safety, well-being of people, animals and our environment. This year they particularly want to minimize noise, waste and the risk of injury at the annual spectacle. The use of table fireworks, sparklers and small fountains is recommended to create a happy New Year without unnecessarily bothering the neighbors.

It is important that category F2 fireworks may only be burned on December 31st and January 1st. Cities and municipalities have the opportunity to impose their own time and spatial restrictions or even bans. It is important to pay particular attention to sensitive areas such as churches, hospitals, children's and old people's homes, where setting off firecrackers is expressly prohibited. Corresponding FAQs from the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing provide useful information on how to handle fireworks safely, especially for inexperienced users.

Safety precautions and legal regulations

Fireworks must follow strict legal regulations in Germany to ensure safety and environmental protection. The regulations of the Explosives Act and the Pyrotechnics Directive come into play here, and correct labeling is crucial. In particular, the CE mark with the number sequence “0589” behind the mark indicates that the product is tested and safe. When purchasing, consumers should ensure that they only purchase fireworks with this marking and a valid registration number to protect themselves from dangerous products.

The commercial trade in fireworks means that storage and sales are controlled by the trade inspectorate. Fireworks are divided into four categories: F1 (e.g. sparklers for ages 12 and up, allowed all year round), F2 (e.g. rockets, only on New Year's Eve for ages 18 and up), F3 (medium fireworks for approved people) and F4 (large fireworks, exclusively for professionals). These regulations ensure that everyone involved can feel safe during the celebrations.

Environmental protection and alternative celebrations

A topic that should not be neglected is the environmental impact of New Year's Eve fireworks. Every year, around 4,000 tons of fine dust are released on New Year's Eve, while residue from fireworks pollutes the environment and soil. Environmentally friendly alternatives such as digital light shows are increasingly attracting attention, which could replace traditional fireworks and at the same time inspire many people.

The consumer advice center gives useful tips to help you have a safe and stress-free New Year. You should find out about local rules in advance, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia, where setting off rockets and firecrackers is prohibited in certain zones. Recommended alternatives include colorful, sparkling fireworks, bonfires or atmospheric lanterns that create a festive atmosphere without disturbing the neighbors.

Overall, anyone who wants to celebrate New Year's Eve with fireworks should be well informed and act responsibly in order to spread joy without endangering the safety or well-being of others. Relevant information is available on the websites of the respective ministries and consumer advice centers to ensure a smooth transition into the new year.

For more information on this topic you can read the articles from um.baden-wuerttemberg.de, swzoll.de and consumerzentrale.de visit.