More serious injuries from powerful New Year's fireworks
Celebrations to welcome the new year always come with fireworks-related injuries, but associations such as the Burns Foundation have said that the severity of these are on the rise as fireworks become more powerful. The Burns Foundation, dedicated to
Celebrations to welcome the new year always come with fireworks-related injuries, but associations such as the Burns Foundation have said that the severity of these are on the rise as fireworks become more powerful.
The Burns Foundation, dedicated to helping burn patients, noted that heavier fireworks contributed to more victims turning up for treatment at burn centres and hospitals with open wounds and finger injuries.
Last year there were 139, while in the first few days of this year alone there were already 122.
But while there were significantly fewer victims with burns (39 out of 122), there were more with open wounds and finger injuries (38 this year compared to 31 last year). Additionally, 24 victims suffered hearing damage and 21 eye injuries.
“Hands, fingers and the face remain the body parts where injuries are most frequently diagnosed,” the foundation reported.
“There has been a sharp increase in injuries to hands and fingers, making it clear that these are becoming more severe due to poor handling of heavier illegal fireworks.”
It was also noted that 80% of the fireworks involved in accidents were purchased illegally, and while four in 10 victims are under the age of 18 and often come from urban areas, more fireworks accidents take place in rural municipalities than in cities.
“In cities, it’s often well-organised groups of young people who set off large quantities of fireworks in a short period of time, such as ones directed at the police, but they also protect themselves well against possible injuries,” the Burns Foundation reported.
The Burns Foundation deplored the trend of using fireworks against police, firefighters and emergency services, calling for such acts to be severely punished.
More generally, the Burns Foundation and Belgian burn centres are calling for a complete ban on the use and sale of fireworks in Belgium. The possession, transport and use of fireworks are already banned in the Brussels-Capital Region.
Nevertheless, more than 5,500 fireworks were seized on New Year's Eve by the Brussels-North police zone, which covers Schaerbeek, Evere and Saint-Josse-ten-Noode.
A major seizure took place at the home of an individual in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, who was holding more than 5,300 fireworks. The suspect in question said the fireworks were not meant for sale, but rather partly for New Year's Eve and mostly for the wedding party of his daughter scheduled later in January.
“The other seizures were made from people or vehicles on the public highway,” police said, explaining that the fireworks seized will be destroyed.
“Among the fireworks seized, two particularly dangerous types were discovered. These pyrotechnic devices are particularly dangerous for the people who use them, but unfortunately they are also used against police officers and firefighters – this was again the case on New Year's Eve.”
Meanwhile, animal welfare organisation Help Animals and cat shelter Ever'y Cat have renewed calls to replace annual fireworks displays with alternatives such as drone shows and laser projections.
Injuries to humans aside, they noted that fireworks, especially heavy ones with sound levels of up to 190 decibels, cause a lot of stress to animals.
“Fireworks can cause heart and respiratory problems, hearing damage, disorientation and accidents or long-term psychological trauma,” said Nadège Pineau of Help Animals, adding that New Year’s Eve displays often prompt animals to run away in fear, resulting in missing pets.
“In the days after New Year's Eve, we unfortunately receive many desperate testimonies from owners.”
Stéphanie Challe of Ever'y Cat echoed the concerns: “The fireworks have been going on for three days in Schaerbeek and Evere. Our cats panicked and ran for shelter.
"Street cats were running around at random. Every year, we don't see certain cats ever again after New Year's Eve. They’re feral cats, so it's hard to say what happened, but I think they went into cardiac arrest from fear or ran under a car in a panic."
Calls for animal-friendly alternatives to fireworks have been made for years. In 2019, animal welfare organisation Gaia called for the use of silent fireworks. In December 2024, they were joined by 85 animal welfare organisations in a joint call for a complete ban on the sale of fireworks.
Enforcement of the existing ban in the Brussels region is spotty and fireworks remain easily available in stores, these organisations said.
“Night shops also sell them under the counter – 10-year-old boys are already setting off firecrackers, and on the internet you can buy anything,” Challe said.
“It's hard to control. Some municipalities, such as Evere, have already decided to stop using fireworks at official events, such as during the Evere en Fête festival, but the biggest problem for animals is private and illegal fireworks. That will probably never be stopped completely.”
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
