Fireworks
Now it's really popping - information on New Year's Eve fireworks
Fireworks are a traditional part of the New Year, just like champagne or the famous "Dinner for One" sketch. Pyrotechnics were already being used at celebrations in 12th century China. The first fireworks display in Europe is said to have taken place in Italy in 1378. In 1506, the first fireworks went off in Germany.
Today, the pagan custom of driving away evil spirits has become a spectacle for young and old alike. However, there are a few things to bear in mind to make sure it goes off properly.
Quick tips
- Less is more
- Only buy tested fireworks
- Watch out for other people and especially children
- Keep a sufficient distance
- Wear hearing protection if necessary
- Do not set off fireworks near forests or wildlife nesting sites
- clear rubbish yourself with caution
Avoid injuries
Our hands are one of our body's most important tools. They make the world manageable and enable us to perform a wide variety of tasks, such as typing on a smartphone keyboard, flicking a light switch or holding a fork. Like all other body parts, they are too important to be damaged on New Year's Eve.
In Germany and the European Union, tested fireworks can be recognised by the registration number and the CE mark in conjunction with the identification number of the test centre. In Germany, the testing centre is the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM).
The BAM test number is 0589, which appears next to the CE mark. The test number is followed by the category of the firework, which is followed by a consecutive number.
You can always recognise tested, safe fireworks by the CE mark in conjunction with the test number.
Everyone knows at least one person who has obtained unapproved pyrotechnics from our nearby neighbouring countries or in Germany. In the case of firecrackers, for example, the characteristic green glow before the explosion is a sign of illegal banging.
Category F1 and F2 fireworks are authorised for private use and are therefore legally available.
Category F1 includes, among other things
- Sparklers
- table fireworks
- firecrackers
- Firecrackers
Category F2 includes, among other things
- Rockets and firework batteries
- firecrackers
- Bengal lights and flares
- Fountains
- Ground swirlers
- Howlers
- Fire pots
Fireworks approved for private use can be recognised by the CE mark, followed by the test number in conjunction with the corresponding fireworks category (F1 or F2). Incidentally, fireworks in category F1 may only be sold to persons over the age of 12 and fireworks in category F2 and above may only be sold to persons aged 18 and over.
If you want to set off category F3 and/or F4 fireworks, you will need a licence. You can apply for this via the service portal of the City of Chemnitz.
In principle, fireworks may be set off anywhere in Chemnitz. The setting off of fireworks is not permitted in the immediate vicinity of churches, hospitals, children's and old people's homes or particularly fire-sensitive buildings or facilities.
During the New Year period (from 31 December, 00:01 to 1 January, 23:59), fireworks may be set off. Outside of New Year's Eve, you can apply for a licence to set off category F2 fireworks via the City of Chemnitz service portal.
If there are any fireworks left over after New Year's Eve, this is not a problem. You can store up to a maximum of three kilograms in a suitable room. You should be guided by the following key points:
- People should not be in the room permanently
- Fireworks must not reach a temperature of 75 degrees Celsius
- Smoking, naked flames and fires should be avoided
- Pressurised containers (gas cylinders etc.) should not be stored in the room
- Highly flammable or combustible materials should not be stored in the immediate vicinity
- Fire-fighting equipment (fire extinguishers etc.) should be accessible in the immediate vicinity
- The room should be secured against theft
Protect animals
It's not just humans who notice the loud noises and light beams on New Year's Eve. Wild animals in particular can be affected during the New Year. But our pets are also affected by the festivities at the turn of the year. So please bang responsibly to protect our animals.
Fireworks affect wild animals through:
- sudden light effects,
- sudden acoustic effects,
- strong olfactory effects (odours, for example strong sulphurous ones) and through
- direct collisions.
Wild animals react primarily through flight reactions and avoidance behaviour. The acoustic stimuli trigger panic attacks, which affect nocturnal animals the most.
In one study, a black-necked grebe fled to other resting waters and only returned to the original area weeks later. Current studies show that resting waterfowl fly significantly longer distances on New Year's Eve than on normal nights, in some cases even up to 500 kilometres. They also flew much higher than during the rest of the winter. They do not return to their original resting grounds for several weeks. The exertions of New Year's Eve mean an extremely high energy expenditure for the animals, which takes up additional reserves in winter.
In addition, an increased body temperature and heart rate were measured in greylag geese. This stress is associated with significantly higher energy consumption and the animals have to spend more time looking for food in order to replenish their reserves during the short, cold winter days.
In Saxony, panic reactions of zoo animals (2007 Leipzig Zoo), abandonment of white stork broods (2006 Frohburg) and the direct killing of a young white stork (2001, Bischofwerda) have been documented.
Wild animals must not be wilfully disturbed. Do not use firecrackers in protected areas, at the edge of the forest or in the forest and show consideration for our nature.
Waste
Where there are fireworks, there are also decomposition products. Just think of 1 January, when the streets are cleared of rubbish by the waste and city cleaning company (ASR). Clearing the streets costs around 8,000 euros every year.
Basically yes, because the polluter pays principle applies. The remains of fireworks belong in the residual waste. Take care when disposing of fireworks if they have not burnt down properly.
The ASR is responsible for street cleaning in the city centre. The other streets and paths are cleaned on a regular basis.
Emissions
Emissions are created when fireworks are set off. Emissions are harmful substances that affect the environment and people. The use of fireworks results in increased particulate matter and noise pollution.
Fireworks cause an increase in air pollution. Firework smoke consists largely of fine dust (PM - Particulate Matter, PM10, PM2.5). These tiny dust particles are only a fraction of a millimetre in size and are invisible to the human eye. Particulate matter is harmful to health, both in the short term and in the long term.
Analyses of the data from the monitoring networks of the federal states and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) show that on the first day of the new year, air pollution with harmful particulate matter is higher in many places than on other days of the year. However, the set daily average value is only exceeded for a few hours on New Year's Day.
It is best not to expose yourself directly to high levels of air pollution in order to protect your health. To be on the safe side, you can wear a face mask, for example.
Explosions from firecrackers in the immediate vicinity can reach levels of 160 decibels. By comparison, this is louder than an aeroplane taking off. In Germany, around 8,000 people suffer inner ear damage from fireworks on New Year's Eve.
To avoid being one of them, it's best to keep your distance. You can also use hearing protection to be completely safe.
