Don't set off fireworks

That's how you do it

When setting off fireworks, a lot of fine dust and sometimes heavy metals are released, which are very bad for your health. These heavy metals can also end up in plants and food via the soil.

Tips

• Do not set off fireworks.
• If you still want to set off fireworks, follow the regulations regarding fireworks in the Netherlands / Flanders . Just like in the Netherlands, each city/municipality in Flanders can develop its own regulation, eg only allow low-noise fireworks in the context of animal welfare.
• Inform people about the reasons why it is better not to set off fireworks: it is unhealthy and dangerous, there is a fire risk, it causes animal suffering and in case of problems you unnecessarily burden the emergency services.
• If you are bothered by the smoke, stay indoors, temporarily close the windows and turn off the ventilation. Especially people with lung problems or poor health can suffer from fine dust from fireworks.
• Clean up fireworks residue quickly and properly, for example with New Year's sweeps .
  

Knowing more

By setting off fireworks, particulate matter, chemicals and heavy metals (such as copper, barium, strontium and antimony) are released into the air, soil and groundwater. Firecrackers mainly consist of gunpowder. Decorative fireworks also contain heavy metals. Illegal fireworks are more dangerous and harmful to the environment because they often contain more gunpowder and highly harmful substances such as cadmium and perchlorate.

More information

• Fireworks (Milieu Centraal, Netherlands)

• Fireworks rules (Government, the Netherlands)

• I pop without fireworks (Brandweer, Flanders)

• Fireworks measurements 2021/2022 – now with particulate matter and noise (RIVM, the Netherlands)