Play Safe This New Year’s Eve

Dutch New Year’s Eve is a fun time. Celebrations, top 2000 count down on the radio, parties and the firework displays at the stroke of midnight. If you are planning on setting off fireworks or going to a display this New Year’s Eve, here are a few tips to keep you and your little ones safe.

If you are going to be setting off your own fireworks you want to have purchased the fireworks from a licensed retailer and store them safely until New Year’s Eve, away from naked flames and water. Fireworks are available to pre-order, but can only be purchased or picked up on 29th, 30th, and 31st December. You may also only purchase a maximum of 25kg of fireworks. If you want more you will need to go with multiple people to purchase the fireworks.

Have a designated area for setting the fireworks off in, away from houses, trees and traffic. It is best to have one person in charge of the fireworks and keep everyone else a safe distance from the area, especially children (and keep pets indoors).

Fireworks should be lit with a taper at arm’s length. Read and follow the instruction on each type of firework that you will be setting off. If you light a firework but it doesn’t go off, don’t approach it! It could still explode.

For fireworks mounted on a stick, a bucket of sand or dirt makes a very stable surface to stick them in when setting them off.

Keep a bucket or two of water and/or sand near to where you will be setting off the fireworks in case of emergency. And should something go wrong call 112 for an ambulance or the fire brigade.

Once the display is finished be sure to wait at least 15 minutes before you clear up any debris and place any remains in a bucket of water.

If you have sparklers for children be sure to light one at a time, be wearing gloves, hold at arm’s length and have a bucket of water to put them in after they burn out.

If you are going to a display (public or at a friend’s house) keep your own and your families safety in mind. Keep away from the area the fireworks are being lit and keep in mind the tips listed above.

In the Netherlands there are restrictions on the date and time you are allowed to set off fireworks. Fireworks can be set off between December 31st from 6pm until 2am January 1st. Setting fireworks off outside of this time can result in a fine from the police. Also be considerate of neighbours with small children or pets, a friendly warning if you will be setting off fireworks is often appreciated.

We hope you have a happy New Year’s Eve and keep safe!