New Year’s Eve celebration – fireworks: Restrictions or bans apply here – News


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More and more Swiss cities are restricting private fireworks displays. She wants to completely ban an initiative with a lot of support.

Rockets, volcanoes and firecrackers for New Year’s Eve are popular – but also controversial. There are already restrictions in many places.

Bathe

In Aargau’s Limmat city, New Year’s Eve activity has its limits: fireworks need to be loud on public property Information sheet from the city of Baden a permit from the police.

Basel

On the Rhine in Basel, the burning of fireworks that are not intended for use by professionals is generally permitted on New Year’s Eve between 6 p.m. and 1 a.m. This applies to both inhabited and public or generally accessible areas. But in special zones “All fireworks are prohibited within a radius of 200 meters from hospitals and near zoos,” as the canton writes on its website. Violations will result in a fine of 150 francs.

Majority supports restrictions on private fireworks displays


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Legend:

KEYSTONE/Peter Schneider

According to a study, more than three quarters of the Swiss population supported the initiative submitted in the fall to restrict fireworks among private individuals. She wants to restrict the sale and setting off of loud fireworks for private individuals. Pyrotechnic products that go into the air without making any noise should remain permitted. Large professional public fireworks displays at events should also continue to be allowed.

According to the representative survey by Watson in collaboration with the social research institute Demoscope, 76 percent of all 8,250 respondents from German and French-speaking Switzerland are in favor of the initiative. According to the survey, “stress in domestic and farm animals” and “stress in wild animals” were the main reasons for supporting the initiative. Air pollution also plays an important role.

Around a quarter of those surveyed spoke out against the initiative. In her opinion, fireworks are a tradition and part of it. In addition, there are already too many regulations and bans. A ban on fireworks does not belong in the constitution.

Bern

“Fireworks are a beautiful thing. But there is no space for this in the alleys of Bern’s city center,” writes the city online. Also because the city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, setting off fireworks in the old town has been prohibited since summer 2021 – including on New Year’s Eve.

A poster points out the ban on fireworks in downtown Bern.

Legend:

The perimeter of Bern’s UNESCO World Heritage Site extends from the Hirschengraben in the west to the Nydegg Bridge at the end of the Aare Peninsula.

City of Bern

Graubünden

From Laax to St. Moritz: Certain bans and a quiet New Year’s Eve apply in around 30 municipalities in Graubünden. “No firecrackers, no rockets,” is the motto of the Davos Klosters tourist destination. “Only things that don’t make any noise, such as volcanoes, torches or fires, are still allowed.”

Constance (D)

In Kreuzlingen, just across the border, fireworks have not been allowed to be set off at the turn of the year for several years now – at least in the old town. The city of Konstanz also emphasizes that outside this zone only officially approved fireworks are permitted.

Fireworks: What applies in neighboring countries?


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Germany: Shooting is usually only allowed from New Year’s Eve to the morning of January 1st, outside of prohibited zones and not too close to special buildings. However, in many cities there are general bans. In addition, in Germany you could only buy fireworks for New Year’s Eve for three days – trade was restricted.

France: In our western neighbors, many municipalities have banned banging for fire safety reasons or fear of riots, such as Paris and Strasbourg. Certain categories of fireworks are reserved for professionals anyway. Many cities have organized fireworks shows instead.

Italy: Rockets and firecrackers are also often set off on New Year’s Eve in Italy. Fireworks for use outside the home can only be purchased in shops with an appropriate sales license. They may also only be purchased by people over 18 years old. More intense firecrackers, for example with a higher proportion of black powder, may only be ignited with a license or by professionals.

Austria: Rockets, firecrackers, fountains and other similar fireworks may be set off all year round in Austria outside of local areas. They are generally prohibited in urban areas – but according to the Ministry of the Interior, local authorities can allow them for a limited time. In many places, such a regulation is issued for New Year’s Eve.

Liestal

For several years now, the setting off of fireworks has been banned in Liestal in the Basel area. But many people didn’t stick to it on New Year’s Eve 2022. This year, the “Städtli” wants to better enforce the ban with more posters, newspaper reports, online advertisements and additional patrols. The fine is 200 francs.

Lucerne

Fireworks are prohibited in Lucerne’s old town, as the city announces online. “In the rest of the city, when setting off private fireworks, the regulations regarding quiet at night must always be adhered to.” There are exceptions as well as loud for August 1st and New Year celebrations Police leaflet special requirements. For larger fireworks displays, for example, the launch site should be chosen in daylight and a fire extinguisher should be available.

Danger of forest fires in Ticino and measures in French-speaking Switzerland


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According to the overview of fire bans Website of the Federal Office for the Environment currently applies practically in general Ticino significant risk of forest fires. “Matches and flying sparks” can start a fire and spread quickly in open areas.

In the cantons Geneva and Vaud Conditional fire bans also apply in some places. Also in the canton Neuchâtel There is currently a warning to “handle fire carefully” outdoors.

St. Gallen

The Klosterplatz in St. Gallen is a popular meeting place on New Year’s Eve. “In recent years, hundreds of people have met here,” said the State Chancellery. For this reason and also because of the UNESCO world heritage buildings, there is a strict ban on fireworks on the monastery square again this year. Rockets, volcanoes, etc. are not allowed.

View of the church and the city in the background.

Legend:

The monastery square includes, among other things, the collegiate church, the state chancellery and the state archive.

KEYSTONE/Gian Ehrenzeller

Zurich

In Zurich, the setting off of private fireworks is partly prohibited over the New Year from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. This applies to the “New Year’s Eve Magic” festival area, around the lower lake basin, along the Limmat and Bahnhofstrasse, from the lake to the level of the town hall bridge and in the area of ​​Sechseläutenplatz – according to the municipal website and that Police leaflet. Otherwise, fireworks are generally permitted on New Year’s Eve.

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