Denmark's New Year's Eve celebrations will look different this year due to tightened firework regulations, emphasizing both safety and adherence to legal standards. Starting December 15, it became legal to purchase fireworks, but residents are now restricted to firing them only on December 31 and January 1, significantly limiting the previous period which allowed celebratory explosions from December 27 to January 1.
Authorities are taking these changes seriously, noting the increased penalty for violations. Previously, those who fired fireworks outside of the designated dates faced fines of 2,000 kroner; this has now increased to 2,500 kroner. Police Assistant Christian Berthelsen from the National Police expressed concern about enforcement this holiday season, stating, “Man vil være naiv, hvis man tror, at der ikke kommer flere henvendelser, når vi ser ind i en stramning,” meaning, “One would be naive to think there won’t be more reports when we are facing such restrictions.”
The new regulations are part of broader efforts by the government, driven by concerns from animal welfare organizations like Dyrenes Beskyttelse (Animal Protection Denmark), reflecting public sentiment. Many residents are unaware of the changes and their potential impacts on both pets and veterans living with PTSD triggered by the loud noises associated with fireworks. Jens Jokumsen, family pet chief at Dyrenes Beskyttelse, remarked, “Vi er meget glade for, at der endelig er blevet ændret på en del af lovgivningen om nytåret,” or “We are very glad there have finally been changes to the New Year legislation.”
Authorities have warned residents against purchasing fireworks from unauthorized sellers, as illegal fireworks are not only dangerous but also punishable by law. Christian Berthelsen stressed, “Køb aldrig fyrværkeri i udlandet, og køb aldrig fyrværkeri fra ikke godkendte salgssteder - det er ulovligt,” which translates to, “Never buy fireworks from abroad and never buy fireworks from unauthorized sellers - it is illegal.”
This year, law enforcement is ramping up their monitoring efforts, especially concerning illegal online sales. The police’s Online Patrol with the National Cyber Crime Center (NC3) will intensify monitoring on websites and social media platforms where illegal fireworks are sold. According to Berthelsen, “Sammen med Sikkerhedsstyrelsen vil Politiet have et øget fokus på online salg af ulovligt fyrværkeri,” or, “Together with the Safety Agency, the police will increase focus on illegal online firework sales.”
Despite these restrictions, many Danes are still planning to celebrate with fireworks, anticipating spending around 600 million kroner this New Year's Eve, which is over 150 million more than last year. “Det tyder på, at himlen rundt om i Danmark nytårsaften bliver mere oplyst,” said Bo Dalsgaard, sector chief at Dansk Erhverv (Danish Business), indicating expectations for brighter skies this New Year.
Interestingly, the efforts to restrict firework usage have found support among some segments of the population. Veteran Flemming Agerskov, who has experienced firsthand the impact of loud noises on PTSD, welcomed the shorter firing period. He noted, “Den afkortede periode vil give langt færre brag,” or “The shortened period will lead to much fewer bangs.”
While the cost of fireworks is set to rise, with men aged 40-49 expected to lead spending, concerns over property and personal safety have prompted calls for stricter regulations. Dyrenes Beskyttelse is advocating for even more restrictions, hoping for a complete ban on private firework usage. “Det bedste ville dog være et forbud mod salg af fyrværkeri til privatpersoner,” stated Jokumsen, emphasizing the potential dangers of private displays.
Firework suppliers, on the other hand, seem more accepting of the new rules, recognizing the trend of more sales occurring later on New Year's Eve, as fireworks are typically lit after dusk. With this change, suppliers hope for improved enforcement and reduced complaints about early explosions.
Overall, as Danes prepare for New Year's Eve, the shift toward stricter firework regulations seeks to strike a balance between celebration and safety. The reduced window for fireworks use aligns with community concerns and highlights the importance of compliance and awareness among consumers as they navigate the updated guidelines.