Dusseldorf ignites with fireworks on New Year's Night

Dusseldorf ignites with fireworks on New Year's Night

Safety Guidelines for New Year's Eve Celebrations in Düsseldorf's Old Town

As New Year's Eve approaches, the city of Düsseldorf has released safety guidelines for those planning to celebrate in the old town. The following are key points to keep in mind to ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration.

Fireworks Regulations

1. The fireworks ban zone in Düsseldorf's old town applies to fireworks for adults, such as rockets, firecrackers, and fireworks batteries. So-called youth fireworks, like sparklers, ground fire whirls, and all fireworks that can be sold year-round to people aged 12 and over, are permitted in the old town.
2. Fireworks can be sold in stores from December 28th. Remember to purchase only fireworks approved for use in Germany.
3. Setting off fireworks is only permitted on New Year's Eve, from December 31st to January 1st. It is prohibited to set off fireworks in the immediate vicinity of churches, hospitals, children's or retirement homes.
4. Do not throw fireworks from balconies or launch rockets from them. Always use fireworks and rockets outdoors.
5. Maintain a minimum distance of eight meters around the firework after igniting the fuse. Estimate the rocket's trajectory and observe the impact point after burnout.
6. Do not touch suspected duds; they may still ignite. Do not relight them, as they may explode immediately due to the short fuse. Douse duds with water and render them unusable.
7. Do not bundle or light fireworks together; do not light them in cans, bottles, mailboxes, or recycling bins.
8. Fireworks should not be handled by children, young people (except for products freely available to all age groups), or intoxicated individuals.

Safety Precautions

1. Ensure children wear flame-resistant clothing, avoiding synthetic fabrics like fleece on New Year's Eve.
2. Remove combustible items from balconies and close windows before New Year's Eve.
3. Use battery-powered lights with caution. Ensure the stability of battery-powered lights. Tip: use a board as a base.
4. Maintain a safe distance from other people, buildings, trees, and vehicles.
5. The enforcement forces will intervene consistently in cases of administrative offenses and criminal offenses. The police and public order office will have increased personnel and mobile video surveillance on New Year's Eve.
6. The authorities responsible for intensified presence in Düsseldorf during New Year's Eve 2022 to detect and prevent violations of fireworks regulations typically include the local police and the city's public order office (Ordnungsamt), who work together to enforce fireworks laws and ensure public safety. The fire department may also be involved in fire safety oversight during this period.
7. Body cameras will be activated to secure evidence to protect law enforcement from attacks and pyrotechnic projectiles.

General Advice

1. Do not throw bangers towards other people.
2. Never dispose of firework remnants directly in the trash can after use, as smoldering remnants can still cause a fire in trash bins even hours later. Clean up the waste from the night from the street and sidewalk at the latest by the next morning.
3. Launch rockets only vertically. Never launch rockets by hand.
4. The ban zone remains unchanged from last year.
5. There will be no checkpoints where visitors will be inspected.

The Düsseldorf fire department warns of incidents due to improper handling of firecrackers and rockets on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Common injuries include burns to the face and hands, eye injuries, hearing damage, and fingers being blown off.

Let's all enjoy a safe and memorable New Year's Eve in Düsseldorf's old town by following these guidelines. Happy New Year!

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