New Year’s Eve: “A customer spent more than 1,600 euros on fireworks” | EUROtoday

The sale of fireworks akin to New Year’s Eve rockets and firecrackers in Germany has begun. Supermarkets and discounters are solely allowed to promote such class F2 fireworks on the final three days of the yr when outlets are open – this yr from December twenty ninth. It can solely be burned down on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Long queues shaped in entrance of gross sales shops in lots of federal states on Monday. In the Bavarian area, the media reported on males who had been already ready within the parking tons in entrance of low cost shops round 1 a.m. to safe fireworks when the shops opened.

In Bremerhaven, WELT-TV reporter Gerrit Schröder visited a wholesale sale. Many consumers got here to the opening early within the morning. The reporter reported on clients who took away 40 packing containers at first of gross sales, and one buyer spent greater than 1,600 euros. The demand is big.

In an interview, an 18-year-old in Bremerhaven mentioned he spent round 250 euros on firecrackers: “It would be a shame to ban the whole thing, as it is a beautiful moment for many people.”

Three quarters do not wish to shoot

However, a current survey exhibits that fireworks followers are within the minority. Only about one in 5 German residents (22 p.c) wish to set off personal fireworks on the flip of the yr. Three quarters of these surveyed (74 p.c) said that they might keep away from pyrotechnic objects akin to rockets, fountains or firecrackers on New Year’s Eve; 4 p.c didn’t know but or didn’t present any data. The TÜV Association introduced this primarily based on a consultant survey by the opinion analysis institute Civey.

The Germans want to ban fireworks. According to the survey, nearly two thirds of the inhabitants (65 p.c) are in favor of a whole or partial ban on fireworks. 43 p.c had been in favor of a normal ban on personal New Year’s Eve fireworks, aside from small fireworks akin to sparklers or desk fireworks, it mentioned. One in 5 (22 p.c) advocates a ban on firecrackers and firecrackers. According to the survey, 33 p.c reject any bans. The TÜV factors out the intense accidents which are brought on by pyrotechnics yearly, akin to blast trauma, burns or torn fingers and palms.

Majority are aggravated by rubbish

According to the report, 56 p.c of these surveyed are additionally bothered by the large quantity of fireworks waste that needs to be eliminated on the times after the flip of the yr. 37 p.c typically see fireworks as too dangerous to the setting. 32 p.c of residents really feel unsafe due to firecrackers in public areas; this is applicable particularly to girls (45 p.c).

The head of German customs warned of unlawful New Year’s Eve firecrackers earlier than the flip of the yr: “Unauthorized fireworks can become a serious danger and cause serious, sometimes even permanent injuries,” mentioned the President of the General Customs Directorate, Armin Rolfink. In 2024, customs seized greater than seven tons of unauthorized pyrotechnics – greater than within the earlier three years mixed. The import of unauthorized fireworks from overseas is prohibited and results in felony proceedings, warned Rolfink.

The Federal Association for Pyrotechnics and Artistic Fireworks sees the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show as a deeply rooted customized that additionally displays a eager for group. “New Year’s Eve fireworks create a social resonance space,” mentioned the membership’s managing director, Felix Martens. The shared view of the illuminated evening sky creates a sense of group and bridges social boundaries for minutes.

“The custom at the turn of the year is individual and yet democratic and collective,” defined the consultant of the business affiliation. The excessive demand for fireworks is an expression of a eager for group and shared rituals. At the identical time, the affiliation referred to as for a accountable use of pyrotechnics and warned towards unlawful pyrotechnics and harmful self-builds.

At the flip of the yr 2024/2025, the business already had report gross sales of round 197 million euros, based on the Association of the Pyrotechnic Industry. And based on the Federal Statistical Office, considerably extra fireworks had been imported this yr than final yr.