Last year, fireworks resulted in 17 eye injuries, nearly half of which affected spectators, according to the Finnish Ophthalmological Society. Among those injured, the majority were aged 18–25, and two individuals faced severe injuries risking blindness. Despite laws requiring safety glasses for fireworks users, compliance remains low. Jonas Sjelvgren, a senior inspector at Tukes, urges everyone involved in fireworks to wear them.

“Safety glasses are a simple and inexpensive way to protect your eyes. Buy them along with your fireworks and make sure everyone participating wears them,” said Sjelvgren.

Authorities remind the public of key safety practices to avoid accidents and environmental damage. Fireworks are only for adults, and planning the launch site and adhering to instructions are crucial. Fireworks may be used between 6 p.m. on December 31 and 2 a.m. on January 1, and leftover materials should be properly disposed of the next day. Non-functional fireworks should not be discarded as regular waste but returned to retailers or importers.

A 2022 Tukes survey revealed that 87% of Finns incorrectly believe authorities pre-inspect fireworks for safety. In reality, the responsibility lies with manufacturers, importers, and distributors to ensure products meet legal safety standards. Products sold in Finland must carry a CE mark and include bilingual instructions in Finnish and Swedish.

Tukes monitors fireworks with spot checks, focusing on compliance with safety markings and instructions. Inspections during this year’s New Year’s sales period have shown positive results, with no deficiencies in consumer products or improper sales of professional-grade fireworks.

“We’ve observed very good compliance in recent years, with no issues in labeling or instructions for products sold to consumers,” said Sjelvgren.

HT