New Year's Eve without stress: Böller bans in German cities adopted!

On December 27, 2024, the sales activities for fireworks begin in Germany on New Year's Eve, which will take place between December 28th and December 31st. The sale of pyrotechnic objects is divided into two categories: the F1 category that is suitable for children from the age of 12 and sparkling with sparklers, table fireworks, bangs and bright candies, and the F2 category, which is intended for adults from 18 years and includes rockets, fountains, Roman lights, batteries and loud bangs. The sale may only take place in sales rooms of wholesale and retail, but not outdoors or from kiosks. Fireworks must be provided with a test seal and a registration number.

The burning of New Year's Eve fireworks is only allowed on December 31 and January 1. Near hospitals, churches, children's and old people's homes, thatched roof and half-timbered houses as well as petrol stations, the firecrackers are generally prohibited. Britta Müller, the Minister of Health, warns against the dangers of dealing with fireworks and recommends using only tested and properly marked products. German environmental aid has also called for a nationwide ban on firecrackers on New Year's Eve, a claim that is supported by an alliance of environmental, consumer, animal welfare and health organizations. The Federal Institute for Materials Research (BAM) specifies safety distances: 8 meters for rockets and 1 meter in smaller cracers. Since 2005/06, around 1,000 people with injuries from pyrotechnics have been treated in the Berlin accident hospital, whereby the hands are often affected and 97% of the firecrackers are male. In addition, the bang causes stress in pets and wild animals, which is why the animal welfare association recommends closing windows and doors and covering the background noise with television or radio.

fireproof zones in German cities

In many German cities, fireplace zones are set up to avoid injuries and fires. Pyrotechnics is prohibited nationwide near hospitals, children's and old people's homes, churches and fire-sensitive buildings. Munich has had a general ban on firecrackers within the middle ring since 2019, with cards with the prohibition zones being published. In Cologne and Düsseldorf, large firecrackers are again set up in the city centers. Dortmund, on the other hand, does not have local firecrackers, but relies on the insight of the citizens. Hanover has passed a ban on pyrotechnics in large parts of the city and plans to use the regulatory office for enforcement. Bremen also has a ban on fireworks within a radius of 150 meters around the historic town hall, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entire old town is closed to fireworks in Erfurt, while other cities in Thuringia are not set up any additional ban zones. No new prohibition zones are also planned in larger Saxon cities.

particularly dangerous are illegal firecrackers that can cause serious injuries. In the past, fatal accidents have already occurred in Koblenz and Boxberg. Illegal fireworks often resemble dangerous lightning rates, while legal firecrackers may only contain black powder. In the event of violations of firecrackers, high fines can be expected, up to 50,000 euros in Zwickau.