New Year
The big firing: sales of New Year’s Eve fireworks begin
The fireworks industry expects sales to be similarly good as in 2022. Photo
© Lars Penning/dpa
The big firing starts again: From today on you can buy firecrackers and rockets. Many are happy – for others this is probably the most restless time of the year.
Dealers in Germany start selling rockets and firecrackers for New Year’s Eve in the morning. Many revelers are likely to let it rip again: the Association of the Pyrotechnic Industry (VPI) is expecting similarly high demand this year New Year’s Eve fireworks like last year.
In 2022, the industry achieved record sales of 180 million euros. The start of sales for the New Year’s Eve fireworks this time is a day earlier than usual because New Year’s Eve falls on a Sunday.
Injury warning
The TÜV Association appeals to consumers to only buy firecrackers and rockets from reputable suppliers and to comply with safety regulations. “Any pyrotechnic object can cause serious burns or injuries if used improperly,” said Hermann Dinkler, an expert in fire and explosion protection at the TÜV Association. And: “The general rule is: don’t shoot while you’re drunk,” warns the TÜV.
Many cities in Germany have once again set up firecracker ban zones. Regardless of New Year’s Eve, no pyrotechnics may be ignited in the immediate vicinity of churches, hospitals, children’s and retirement homes, or thatched and half-timbered houses all year round.
Debate about a general ban on firecrackers
However, medical representatives, the police union, environmental and animal rights activists and other organizations are calling for a general ban on the use of firecrackers and rockets and point out, among other things, the risk of injury and the strain on hospitals.
In contrast, the German Association of Cities and Municipalities opposed a general ban on firecrackers on New Year’s Eve. “We shouldn’t always just work with bans, but with conviction,” said managing director Gerd Landsberg.
Be wary of big city scenes like last year
Emergency services, however, warn of possible renewed attacks with firecrackers. At the turn of the year last year, young men rioted with firecrackers and rockets in several Berlin districts. They also threw and shot firecrackers at police officers and firefighters. Similar scenes took place in other major cities.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser also fears violent riots on New Year’s Eve. “I am worried that New Year’s Eve could again be a day on which we experience blind rage and senseless violence in some cities, for example against police officers or rescue workers,” said the SPD politician shortly before Christmas. At the same time, she expressed concern that the riots could mix with the riots of radicalized Palestinians.
Firecracker buyers are a minority
According to a survey, buyers of firecrackers and rockets are only a minority of people in Germany. When asked by the polling institute Yougov, “Are you planning to buy fireworks, such as rockets, firecrackers, etc., for New Year’s Eve this year?” Shortly before the holidays, 18 percent answered yes. In contrast, 77 percent do not plan to shop for the New Year’s Eve fireworks themselves. The greatest interest is in the youngest respondent group of 18 to 24 year olds: 33 percent said they wanted to buy fireworks for New Year’s Eve this year.