Be careful when banging!
Bavarian police give tips on how to safely handle New Year's rockets
Created: 12/28/2022, 5:42 p.m
By: Miriam Haberhauer
Setting off firework rockets is often associated with a high level of risk.
The police in Lower Bavaria are therefore giving advice on the use of the New Year's firecrackers.
Munich – New Year's Eve is just around the corner and for the first time since the beginning of the corona pandemic, fireworks can be bought in retail again – but the prices have risen drastically.
However, a lot can go wrong with firecrackers.
The police in Lower Bavaria are therefore giving instructions on how to handle fireworks.
New Year's Eve 2022: Police give tips on how to use fireworks
Not all pyrotechnics are the same: According to the Explosives Act, four categories are distinguished.
Category 1 includes the smallest fireworks that can also be used indoors.
These include cracker peas, sparklers and table fireworks.
Young people can buy them from the age of twelve.
The typical fireworks batteries and firecrackers belong to category 2, which may only be sold to people over the age of 18.
Categories 3 and 4 include fireworks with a higher risk potential, the use of which is only permitted for professional pyrotechnicians.
This applies, for example, to pinwheels, Roman candles and fireworks tubes.
When can fireworks be bought?
Depending on the category, the time limit on the sale of the fireworks also differs.
Category 1 miniature fireworks can be purchased all year round.
The typical category 2 New Year's firecrackers may only be sold to private individuals between December 29th and 31st.
However, if one of the days in this period is a Sunday, the sale begins on December 28th.
Pay attention to the CE marking: tips for buying firecrackers
The police in Lower Bavaria warn against buying untested fireworks from abroad.
If these do not have a CE mark, importing them can quickly result in an administrative offense or criminal offense.
In addition, the use of untested firecrackers repeatedly leads to accidents, which often result in serious injuries.
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It was not until the end of December that investigators discovered an illegal firecracker camp in a bunker on the German-Dutch border.
Almost 250 tons of the highly dangerous fireworks were seized and then destroyed.
The most important test features are the CE mark and a four-digit identification number from a test center recognized in Germany.
The identification number 0589 is an indication that the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing has tested the fireworks.
What should be considered when burning?
Observe possible restrictions
Like the sale, burning is also limited in time, depending on the category.
Category 1 miniature fireworks may be used all year round.
Category 2 firework rockets may only be fired between December 31st and January 1st.
Every year on New Year's Eve, life-threatening accidents occur when firecrackers are fired.
Before burning, therefore, some behavioral instructions must be observed.
© picture alliance/Lars Klemmer
A general ban applies in the immediate vicinity of hospitals, children's and old people's homes, as well as churches.
However, cities and municipalities can set further restrictions individually.
In Regensburg, Augsburg and other Bavarian cities, firecracker ban zones have already been defined.
"Enormous health hazards" - No experiments and consideration for animals
Unauthorized experimentation with New Year's Eve firecrackers is also expressly prohibited: "The production of home-made fireworks is prohibited and poses enormous health risks," according to the Lower Bavarian police.
In addition, she appeals to the common sense of the citizens and gives further instructions on how to behave:
Fireworks should only be set off on public streets and squares.
It is forbidden to ignite balconies from or out of open windows.
Fireworks should never be aimed at people, animals, vehicles or buildings.
New Year's firecrackers should not be worn directly on the body and should never be held in the hand when burning.
"Duds" - fireworks that have already been lit - should never be picked up to be lit again.
Fuse cords should not be shortened and fireworks should not be burned in a bundle.
This could lead to unpredictable reactions of the pyrotechnics.
For many, the colorful firecrackers are indispensable for a successful end of the year.
According to the Brandenburg consumer advice center, however, in 2022 a majority of Germans were in favor of a ban on firecrackers on New Year's Eve.
(mlh)