Prevent damage and nuisance caused by fires and fireworks

Unfortunately a lot of damage is caused by illegal fires and fireworks during New Year’s. The municipality and emergency services are working together with residents and businesses to limit the damage. Read what you can do yourself to prevent damage and problems.

Illegal fires lead to costly reparations each year due to damage to the road surface, trees, playground equipment and underground rubbish containers.

Tips to prevent damage

• Move flammable materials out of the way as much as possible. This includes household rubbish, Christmas trees, building materials and trash containers.
• Cosy fires, such as fire baskets and fire drums, are permitted if they do not cause damage and nuisance. Use the tips below to prevent damage:
• Place the cosy fire in an open spot. Make sure that the fire is not near trees, cars, playground equipment and other flammable items.
• Place the fire basket/drum on top of a few tiles or on sand. This way you protect the road or grass.
• Make sure the fire stays in the basket or drum.
• Do not use petrol or other fire accelerants.
• Follow any instructions given by emergency services.
• Extinguish the fire with water at the end of the celebration.

Prevent nuisance and damage

Most people know how to light fireworks in a responsible way. For example, by wearing protective goggles and by using an ignition fuse. Read all the tips before you light any fireworks on the Begin external link: website of the fire brigade(External link), end external link..

The municipality and emergency services try each year to prevent nuisance, injuries to people and animals and damage caused by fireworks. They do this in various ways:

• giving fireworks lessons at schools. Staff from Halt give children information on how to light fireworks safely. They also hand out protective goggles. Read more on the Begin external link: website of Halt(External link), end external link.
• sealing off underground containers and rubbish bins at vulnerable spots
• placing extra lighting and/or camera surveillance at high-risk spots
• removing car wrecks on time. A number of parking garages will provide parking for free or with a discount so that cars can park safely

Also see: Spots with a ban on fireworks