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Enjoying New Year’s Eve with fireworks is easy if you stick to some simple rules and keep a few things in mind:
According to German law, shops are only allowed to sell fireworks, rockets, wheels or bangers in the time period from Dec. 29 to 31. Except for children’s firecrackers, which are labelled “Klasse I” and may be used all through the year, regular fireworks, “Klasse II” fireworks, can only be purchased by adults.
Legally, fireworks may only be fired from midnight Dec. 31 until Jan. 1. If you don’t want to ruin your neighborhood relationships, don’t start shooting off fireworks in the wee hours of the morning. Fire them off in the evening on Dec. 31.
In order to protect their medieval town centers, some cities have banned fireworks completely. Though this does not apply for Kaiserslautern, always check with your local authorities first before setting off fireworks.
Note that bringing firecrackers into Germany, as well as possessing or using them as a private person, is considered a criminal offense.
There are illegal vendors who sell unsafe fireworks from Eastern countries. These fireworks have highly explosive contents that can cause severe injury or death. To be on the safe side, always check that the item displays a label saying “Klasse II” and “BAM” with a number following it.
Also, it is forbidden to carry a gas or starter pistol, as they could be mistaken for real guns.
When handling fireworks, never light them in your hand and never throw them at people, houses or windows. Also, do not put them into letter boxes or trash cans.
Every year, numerous people get hurt and loose fingers, hands, hearing or eyesight, or even die from accidents associated with fireworks. For safety purposes, only allow children 12 years old and up to set off children’s firecrackers. Class II fireworks should only be used by adults.
There is more to consider: Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.
In fact, the law requires fireworks be lit 100 meters away from forests all year-round.
Also, always have a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby. Don’t wear loose clothing while using fireworks and stand several feet away from lit fireworks. If a device does not go off, never stand over it to investigate. Put it out carefully with water and dispose of it.
