As New Year frenzy approaches, more Dutch cities bring in firework-free zones

The number of local authorities which have established firework-free zones has gone up again this year, according to research by the Volkskrant.

The paper approached all 355 councils in the Netherlands to find out how they plan to deal with fireworks during the New Year celebrations and received answers from 294.

In 113 places, one or more firework-free zones have been set up, a rise of 22 on last year. Almere, Apeldoorn, Middelburg and Valkenburg are among the towns and cities where partial bans have been brought in.

Den Bosch, Eindhoven and Heerlen are among council areas where no ban has been implemented. Firework-free zones only lead to ‘more uncertainty and more problems,’ a spokesman for Eindhoven city council told the paper.

Most zones have been established next to care homes and areas where many elderly people live, as well as near primary schools and petting zoos. Shopping centres, inner cities and stations are also often included, the Volkskrant said.

Damage

Last year an estimated €15m to €20m worth of damage was caused to private homes and cars during the traditional New Year firework frenzy and 396 people were taken to hospital with injuries. Two people died.

Research by I&O for local government magazine Binnenlands Bestuur earlier this month showed fireworks are further out of favour in the Netherlands, with 57% now backing bans at a town or city level.

In addition, 50% of the 2,000 adults questioned for the research support a total ban on consumer fireworks, with 45% in favour and 5% don’t knows.

At the moment, consumers are only allowed to set off fireworks from 6pm on December 31 and 2am on January 1.