Most Netherlands residents have no idea about firework bans in their area
6 days, 6 hours ago

Most Netherlands residents have no idea about firework bans in their area

NL Times  

More than half of the residents of areas with firework bans had no idea they were in place, a survey conducted by insurance company Achmea concluded, the AD reported. Around 21 percent of the 1000 people asked admitted that they pay very little attention to the measures and light fireworks anyway. A motion to ban fireworks across the country did not get approved by the lower house of Parliament the Tweede Kamer last year. Around 100 million euros was spent on fireworks last year, and the BPN, the Pyrotechnics Organization of the Netherlands, is expecting a 15 percent increase this year.

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History of this topic

Dutch authorities seized more than 107,250 kg of illegal fireworks in 2024, 36% increase
2 days, 6 hours ago

Dutch authorities seized more than 107,250 kg of illegal fireworks in 2024, 36% increase

NL Times  

Investigators in the Netherlands seized a total of 107,281 kilograms of illegal fireworks over the course of 2024, according to a running tally from the Public Prosecution Service. Just on the last two days of the year, authorities reported seizing 4,171 kilograms of illegal fireworks. That brought December’s total to nearly 40,403 kilograms, or about 38 percent of all fireworks …

14-year-old killed in Rotterdam fireworks accident; Mayor urges nationwide ban
3 days, 6 hours ago

14-year-old killed in Rotterdam fireworks accident; Mayor urges nationwide ban

NL Times  

A 14-year-old boy died Tuesday night in the Delfshaven district of Rotterdam after a tragic fireworks accident involving a cobra, an illegal and highly explosive firework. Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it “intensely sad and tragic” during an interview on Met het Oog op Morgen on NPO Radio 1. Emergency responders attempted resuscitation, but …

People in the Netherlands break record from 2022 for most money spent on fireworks
4 days, 6 hours ago

People in the Netherlands break record from 2022 for most money spent on fireworks

NL Times  

People in the Netherlands spent around 118 million euros on fireworks this year. This breaks the record of 2022, when fireworks importers and wholesalers had a turnover of approximately 115 million euros, according to the trade association. Groeneveld had already predicted that the total turnover would be higher than in 2023 when around 105 million euros was spent on fireworks. …

New Year's storm: Bonfires moved to tonight, but national fireworks show still a "go"
5 days, 6 hours ago

New Year's storm: Bonfires moved to tonight, but national fireworks show still a "go"

NL Times  

The annual bonfires on the beaches of Scheveningen and Duindorp in The Hague will be lit Monday night at 11 p.m., a day earlier than planned, due to high wind forecasts. In the city center, a light and laser show near the Hofvijver pond will proceed as planned on New Year’s Eve. North Holland and the Wadden Sea region are …

Rotterdam region urges public to not hinder emergency services on New Year’s
1 week, 1 day ago

Rotterdam region urges public to not hinder emergency services on New Year’s

NL Times  

The Rotterdam-Rijnmond Safety Region is calling on the public to avoid interfering with emergency services during New Year’s Eve, following incidents of violence against responders in previous years. During last year’s New Year’s Eve in Nieuw-Beijerland, emergency responders were attacked with fireworks after being called to extinguish several fires late in the evening. In Rotterdam, last year’s festivities were marked …

Police: youths dominate firework-related incidents
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Police: youths dominate firework-related incidents

NL Times  

Young people under 25 years old were involved in 70 percent of firework-related incidents in the Netherlands in 2023, according to police data. Tolga Koklu, a police official responsible for firework enforcement, expressed concern about the reckless behavior of young individuals handling fireworks. Perpetrators are often unaware of the serious consequences of their actions.” The ease with which young people …

Slow progress as firework ban expands to 19 towns and cities
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Slow progress as firework ban expands to 19 towns and cities

Dutch News  

This year 19 of the Netherlands’ 342 town and city council areas will have firework bans in operation at New Year, according to research by news agency ANP. In total, 310 councils responded to ANP’s questions or had sufficient information on their website to determine their stance on the New Year firework frenzy. Alkmaar, Utrecht and Zutphen are imposing total …

Attacks using firework bombs will "far exceed 1,000 this year"
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Attacks using firework bombs will "far exceed 1,000 this year"

Dutch News  

The number of firework attacks on homes and business premises will probably far exceed 1000 this year, police estimate. The police had always worked on the assumption that most of the attacks could be linked criminal gangs but research has since found that over half are the result of “domestic conflicts between non-criminal citizens, often over relationships,” the report said. …

Over 400 fireworks storage locations located in residential neighborhoods
9 months ago

Over 400 fireworks storage locations located in residential neighborhoods

NL Times  

Nearly half of the Netherlands' fireworks storage locations are in residential neighborhoods. It concerns 405 locations where up to 10,000 kilograms of consumer fireworks are stored among homes spread throughout the Netherlands, EenVandaag reports based on figures from the country’s environmental services. “That is 400 times very dangerous,” Marcel Dokter, a firefighter of the Volunteer Fire Department, told EenVandaag about …

Fireworks enthusiasts say they are fed up with rioters, antisocial behavior
1 year ago

Fireworks enthusiasts say they are fed up with rioters, antisocial behavior

NL Times  

People who love using fireworks legally during New Year’s say they have a "hangover" from "the antisocial bastards" who rioted and attacked emergency workers during New Year's Eve. The union has advocated for a national fireworks ban for some time, as have dozens of municipalities and the specialist Eye Hospital in Rotterdam, which treats people with eye injuries caused by …

Large fireworks shows set to go ahead despite hard winds; Hoek van Holland canceled
1 year ago

Large fireworks shows set to go ahead despite hard winds; Hoek van Holland canceled

NL Times  

The large fireworks shows planned around midnight in Rotterdam, Amsterdam and The Hague will proceed as it stands. The fireworks shows in Hoek van Holland and Waddinxveen have been canceled. Organizer Electric Fireworks, organizers of the fireworks show on Museumplein in Amsterdam, reports that the wind is between force 4 and 5 at the moment and that the show can, …

Police unions call for nationwide fireworks ban amid safety concerns
1 year ago

Police unions call for nationwide fireworks ban amid safety concerns

NL Times  

The police unions in the Netherlands are once again advocating for a nationwide ban on fireworks. The unsafe working conditions faced by emergency responders call for this, but the varied local fireworks regulations also make enforcement difficult, according to a joint statement by the four police unions ACP, ANPV, Equipe, and NPB. Law enforcement officers also believed that local fireworks …

Potential coalition parties not enthusiastic about banning New Year's fireworks
1 year ago

Potential coalition parties not enthusiastic about banning New Year's fireworks

NL Times  

The PVV, NSC, BBB, and VVD are not enthusiastic about the plea from over 30 municipalities for a national fireworks ban. “The misery is largely due to fireworks that are already illegal,” said Ingrid Michon. “National regulations still won’t make it enforceable,” said BBB parliamentarian Henk Vermeer. Municipalities have the freedom to ban fireworks in certain areas or neighborhoods and, …

Many municipalities will not implement their own fireworks measures without national ban
1 year ago

Many municipalities will not implement their own fireworks measures without national ban

NL Times  

Dozens of municipalities will not create a local ban on fireworks, or firework-free zones, during the upcoming New Year's period. As long as there is not a national ban on selling, buying, and lighting consumer fireworks, and it is also easy to purchase illegal fireworks, a local ban will not help improve the situation. The Hague agrees: “A nationwide ban …

Majority of women in NL feel unsafe due to fireworks on New Year’s Eve: survey
1 year ago

Majority of women in NL feel unsafe due to fireworks on New Year’s Eve: survey

NL Times  

More than half of the women in the Netherlands are reluctant to walk alone on the street during New Year's Eve due to fireworks, as reported by an RTL Nieuws survey published Monday. The survey also revealed a majority of people in the Netherlands in favor of a ban on consumer fireworks for New Year’s Eve. It found that 53 …

Sharp increase in house fires in Netherlands; Over 4,000 in first half of 2023
1 year, 5 months ago

Sharp increase in house fires in Netherlands; Over 4,000 in first half of 2023

NL Times  

The number of house fires in the Netherlands increased significantly in the first half of 2023, topping the 4,000 mark for the first time ever. That amounts to a fire in someone’s house almost every hour in the first six months of this year, AD reports based on figures released by the Netherlands Institute for Public Safety. Ruud van Herpen, …

Rotterdam mayor pledges to keep lobbying for national fireworks ban
1 year, 10 months ago

Rotterdam mayor pledges to keep lobbying for national fireworks ban

NL Times  

Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb will continue to lobby national politicians on behalf of his city to turn local bans on fireworks into a nationwide ban. He said he believes this is partly because fireworks are sold legally in almost thirty Rotterdam businesses during the New Year’s Eve period, even though the fireworks cannot be ignited in the city. That is …

Firework related injuries back at pre-coronavirus levels
1 year, 11 months ago

Firework related injuries back at pre-coronavirus levels

Dutch News  

In total, 1,253 people received medical treatment after being injured by fireworks during the New Year festivities, according to figures compiled by public safety centre Kenniscentrum VeiligheidNL. Of them, 389 went to hospital for help and the rest to family doctor run medical centres, the organisation said. Around 100 people received eye injuries and 11 are now blind on one …

Firework related injuries back at pre-coronavirus levels
1 year, 11 months ago

Firework related injuries back at pre-coronavirus levels

Dutch News  

In total, 1,253 people received medical treatment after being injured by fireworks during the New Year festivities, according to figures compiled by public safety centre Kenniscentrum VeiligheidNL. Of them, 389 went to hospital for help and the rest to family doctor run medical centres, the organisation said. Around 100 people received eye injuries and 11 are now blind on one …

Coalition party D66 backs calls for total ban on consumer fireworks
2 years ago

Coalition party D66 backs calls for total ban on consumer fireworks

Dutch News  

Liberal democratic party D66 has done a u-turn and now backs a nationwide ban on consumer fireworks, following more trouble during this year’s New Year’s Eve festivities. It is a situation we have tolerated for a long time, but is not normal.’ Van der Werf said the call by mayors and police unions for a total ban has also influenced …

Coalition party D66 backs calls for total ban on consumer fireworks
2 years ago

Coalition party D66 backs calls for total ban on consumer fireworks

Dutch News  

Liberal democratic party D66 has done a u-turn and now backs a nationwide ban on consumer fireworks, following more trouble during this year’s New Year’s Eve festivities. It is a situation we have tolerated for a long time, but is not normal.’ Van der Werf said the call by mayors and police unions for a total ban has also influenced …

Mayors, police renew calls for a nationwide firework ban
2 years ago

Mayors, police renew calls for a nationwide firework ban

Dutch News  

Mayors from across the Netherlands have renewed calls for a total ban on consumer fireworks, following the problems during this year’s New Year festivities. Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema described the situation in the capital, where the ban on fireworks was widely ignored, as ‘tense and busy’ with ‘far more arrests’ than last year. Nijmegen mayor Hubert Bruls, who chairs the …

Mayors, police renew calls for a nationwide firework ban
2 years ago

Mayors, police renew calls for a nationwide firework ban

Dutch News  

Mayors from across the Netherlands have renewed calls for a total ban on consumer fireworks, following the problems during this year’s New Year festivities. Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema described the situation in the capital, where the ban on fireworks was widely ignored, as ‘tense and busy’ with ‘far more arrests’ than last year. Nijmegen mayor Hubert Bruls, who chairs the …

Medical experts expect sharp increase in fireworks injuries this New Year's
2 years ago

Medical experts expect sharp increase in fireworks injuries this New Year's

NL Times  

Medical experts expect a sharp increase in fireworks-related injuries this New Year. The Netherlands banned consumer fireworks over the past two New Year’s because of the coronavirus pandemic. But last year, we only had to treat one blinded eye.” Ophthalmologists and emergency rooms have long advocated for a complete ban on consumer fireworks due to the injuries they cause. Lighting …

Many fireworks sellers closing up shop in the Netherlands
2 years ago

Many fireworks sellers closing up shop in the Netherlands

NL Times  

Many fireworks sellers are shutting down their shops in the Netherlands. The government banning consumer fireworks over New Year’s during the coronavirus pandemic seemed to have been the tipping point for many sellers. After two years of not being allowed to sell fireworks, many sellers seem to have decided to close up shop, according to the newspaper. Consumer fireworks over …

Amsterdam to hold New Year's Eve fireworks show on Museumplein
2 years, 2 months ago

Amsterdam to hold New Year's Eve fireworks show on Museumplein

NL Times  

The city of Amsterdam will organize professional fireworks shows in several places in the city this coming New Year's Eve. The city's main New Year's celebration will be on Museumplein, with both a fireworks and light show. Last year the main New Year's celebration was also supposed to be held on the Museumplein. According to the city, a majority of …

Fireworks, bonfires likely allowed in The Hague this New Year's
2 years, 2 months ago

Fireworks, bonfires likely allowed in The Hague this New Year's

NL Times  

The municipality in The Hague does not intend to ban consumer fireworks this upcoming New Year’s, though the city will create more fireworks-free zones. The Hague is adding another 30 zones this year, including “around riding stables and green areas, such as forests, parks, and Natura 2000 areas.” There will likely be no fireworks show at the Hofvijver. For decades, …

Arnhem bans New Year's fireworks from next year
2 years, 2 months ago

Arnhem bans New Year's fireworks from next year

NL Times  

Arnhem will ban consumer fireworks from New Year’s next year. According to responsible alderman Marco van der Wel, the coronavirus years have shown that New Year’s “can be celebrated well without massive consumer fireworks,” which were banned during the pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic put the topic in the background because over the past two New Year’s, people weren’t allowed outside …

Organizers cancel fireworks shows, festivals, sports events over drought, heat
2 years, 4 months ago

Organizers cancel fireworks shows, festivals, sports events over drought, heat

NL Times  

Events around the Netherlands are being cancelled or modified due to the ongoing drought and the recent high temperatures. An official national heat wave is expected to be declared this weekend, which happens after five consecutive days of temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius measured in De Bilt, Utrecht. "Unfortunately, mowing the flowery field was not necessary," said the municipality of …

Not enough MPs will back a total New Year firework ban
2 years, 6 months ago

Not enough MPs will back a total New Year firework ban

Dutch News  

There is no majority in parliament for a total ban on consumer fireworks and efforts by GroenLinks and the pro-animal PvdD will fail when voted on next week, it emerged after Wednesday’s debate on the issue. The two parties say the advantages of the New Year festivities – the only time consumers can set off fireworks – no longer outweigh …

Not enough MPs will back a total New Year firework ban
2 years, 6 months ago

Not enough MPs will back a total New Year firework ban

Dutch News  

There is no majority in parliament for a total ban on consumer fireworks and efforts by GroenLinks and the pro-animal PvdD will fail when voted on next week, it emerged after Wednesday’s debate on the issue. The two parties say the advantages of the New Year festivities – the only time consumers can set off fireworks – no longer outweigh …

Fireworks ban unlikely to be continued, surveyed MP’s say
2 years, 6 months ago

Fireworks ban unlikely to be continued, surveyed MP’s say

NL Times  

This week, the lower house of the Dutch parliament will debate a GroenLinks and PvdD proposal to ban consumer fireworks in exchange for professionally organized firework shows over New Year's. According to the green party and the animal party, the fun of consumer fireworks over New Year's does not outweigh the downsides - hundreds of injured people per year, stressed …

Few fireworks injuries; Doctor credits fireworks ban
3 years ago

Few fireworks injuries; Doctor credits fireworks ban

NL Times  

Except for several severe incidents, hospitals in the Netherlands were relatively quiet regarding fireworks injuries on New Year's Eve. The two patients treated at the Rotterdam Eye Hospital were both bystanders. De Faber thinks the quiet night is mainly due to the fireworks ban imposed to not burden healthcare even more with so many Covid-19 patients in hospitals. "I can …

Belgian border towns busy with firework-mad Dutch, despite the ban
3 years ago

Belgian border towns busy with firework-mad Dutch, despite the ban

Dutch News  

Dutch nationals have been flocking to Belgium to buy fireworks, despite the New Year ban, according to the Telegraaf. A local farmer has opened up his fields as an emergency car park for the Dutch visitors who have not been allowed by law to import fireworks into the Netherlands since December 15. Surely it should be allowed.’ The Dutch government …

Belgian border towns busy with firework-mad Dutch, despite the ban
3 years ago

Belgian border towns busy with firework-mad Dutch, despite the ban

Dutch News  

Dutch nationals have been flocking to Belgium to buy fireworks, despite the New Year ban, according to the Telegraaf. A local farmer has opened up his fields as an emergency car park for the Dutch visitors who have not been allowed by law to import fireworks into the Netherlands since December 15. Surely it should be allowed.’ The Dutch government …

Enforcing Covid measures and firework ban not priority during New Year's: police chief
3 years ago

Enforcing Covid measures and firework ban not priority during New Year's: police chief

NL Times  

During the New Year, enforcement of coronavirus restrictions and the fireworks ban is third in the list of officers' priorities, police chief Willem Woelders said. Guaranteeing the safety of emergency services such as the fire brigade and ambulance has focus, the police chief said. Woelders expected New Year's Eve 2021 to be similar to last year. According to a survey …

Nationwide firework ban for New Year, as ministers listen to mayors
3 years, 1 month ago

Nationwide firework ban for New Year, as ministers listen to mayors

Dutch News  

Fireworks will be banned again this New Year, ministers decided at Friday’s cabinet meeting, broadcaster RTL Nieuws has reported. Mayors united in the 25 regional safety boards wrote to the government urging it to bring in a nationwide ban after government sources suggested there would not be any national restrictions. The annual firework frenzy every year results in hundreds of …

Nationwide firework ban for New Year, as ministers listen to mayors
3 years, 1 month ago

Nationwide firework ban for New Year, as ministers listen to mayors

Dutch News  

Fireworks will be banned again this New Year, ministers decided at Friday’s cabinet meeting, broadcaster RTL Nieuws has reported. Mayors united in the 25 regional safety boards wrote to the government urging it to bring in a nationwide ban after government sources suggested there would not be any national restrictions. The annual firework frenzy every year results in hundreds of …

Amsterdam cancels official New Year's celebrations in wake of Covid surge
3 years, 1 month ago

Amsterdam cancels official New Year's celebrations in wake of Covid surge

NL Times  

The national New Year's Eve countdown on Museumplein in Amsterdam was canceled, the city said on Monday. The New Year's celebrations and fireworks shows organized by the municipality in different districts will also be called off, Mayor Femke Halsema decided. The municipality already decided that people cannot set off their own fireworks in Amsterdam on New Year's Eve this year. …

Cabinet considering New Year fireworks ban to save hospitals
3 years, 1 month ago

Cabinet considering New Year fireworks ban to save hospitals

Dutch News  

New Year fireworks could be banned for the second year in a row after the cabinet asked the Outbreak Management Team for advice on the safety implications. The number of injuries treated in emergency departments was 75% lower last New Year, Tjeerd de Faber, chair of the Dutch Ophthalmic Community, told RTL Nieuws. FNV Zorg en Welzijn, the healthcare branch …

Amsterdam officially bans most fireworks on New Year's Eve
3 years, 2 months ago

Amsterdam officially bans most fireworks on New Year's Eve

NL Times  

No fireworks will be allowed in Amsterdam on New Year's Eve this year. This year the municipality is organizing a New Year's celebration on Museumplein with a fireworks show, a musical program, and a light and laser show. The city is also providing grants for festive New Year’s initiatives organized by the people of Amsterdam themselves. All plans remain dependent …

Netherlands to bans smoking zones in all public buildings starting this week
3 years, 6 months ago

Netherlands to bans smoking zones in all public buildings starting this week

NL Times  

Smoking areas in government and public buildings in the Netherlands will be prohibited from July 1, the government confirmed suddenly on Tuesday. The ban on smoking areas in public buildings was originally scheduled to enter into force in 2022. Making facilities where people work or visit smoke-free was one of the aims stated in the National Prevention Agreement, which State …

Utrecht a step closer to prohibiting private fireworks use
3 years, 6 months ago

Utrecht a step closer to prohibiting private fireworks use

NL Times  

The city council of Utrecht is pressing forward with a plan to ban the private use of fireworks this summer. According to Mayor Sharon Dijksma and the city aldermen there is "no more room in Utrecht" for the "unlimited use of fireworks by private individuals." A second survey, conducted by the municipality itself, showed that 60 percent of Utrecht police …

Dutch fireworks assoc. threatened over plans for New Year's fireworks shows
3 years, 11 months ago

Dutch fireworks assoc. threatened over plans for New Year's fireworks shows

NL Times  

The Dutch fireworks association NVB received multiple threats after it announced plans to let associations organize local fireworks shows over New Year's. The NVB wants to train local associations to organize safe fireworks shows, adhering to safety regulations. He added that the fact that the NVB plans include consumers still being allowed to light fireworks, only lighter and safer fireworks …

Dutch Fireworks Association wants local fireworks shows
4 years ago

Dutch Fireworks Association wants local fireworks shows

NL Times  

The Dutch Fireworks Association wants local fireworks shows to take place in all municipalities next New Year’s Eve. Since a fireworks ban was implemented the past New Year’s Eve due to the coronavirus pandemic, more and more people are advocating for a definitive ban. But according to the Dutch Fireworks Association, the discussion is going in the wrong direction, and …

Fireworks ban was a success according to Bruls: "we need a fireworks ban for the entire country"
4 years ago

Fireworks ban was a success according to Bruls: "we need a fireworks ban for the entire country"

NL Times  

The firework ban past New Year’s Eve was a big success, according to Hubert Bruls, the Mayor of Nijmegen. “Now we need to really push through for a fireworks ban for the entire country,” he said. This New Year’s Eve, fireworks were banned due to the coronavirus crisis, which was very well received by Bruls, who is also the chairman …

Firework ban widely ignored, but police report fewer incidents during New Year festivities
4 years ago

Firework ban widely ignored, but police report fewer incidents during New Year festivities

Dutch News  

Although the firework ban was widely ignored, and dozens of cars were set on fire, police and the emergency services were called out some 30% fewer times than during ‘normal’ New Year celebrations, officials say. ‘That is a real contrast to last year’s horror night when we had 18 eye injuries within two and a half hours.’ Utrecht’s main teaching …

Heavy police presence for New Year, as fireworks ban may spark trouble
4 years ago

Heavy police presence for New Year, as fireworks ban may spark trouble

Dutch News  

Almost twice as many police officers will be on duty during the New Year festivities than in a normal year and some have had leave cancelled to ensure there is enough manpower on the streets, broadcaster NOS said on Friday. Although the number of police on duty will vary from place to place, in Amsterdam the number of officers will …

New Year fireworks fine will hit €100, and that means a criminal record
4 years, 1 month ago

New Year fireworks fine will hit €100, and that means a criminal record

Dutch News  

People who set off fireworks during the New Year festivities face a fine of at least €100, and that means an automatic criminal record, justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus said on Friday. The government has decided to ban all fireworks but children’s sparklers during this year’s New Year celebrations, in order to reduce pressure on the emergency services. That is why …

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