On the last night of December, during wonderful celebrations with those closest to us, New Year’s Eve displays are held, “coloring” the welcoming of the New Year. Until now, large organized New Year’s Eve events could not do without fireworks displays. However, this is also beginning to change.

The growing availability of lasers means that we now use them more often instead—in combination with music, they leave us with unforgettable memories of New Year’s Eve.

Police:

We realize that some people will still use pyrotechnic products. Therefore, we should remember that the unskilled and irresponsible use of such products by adults, particularly those under the influence of alcohol, may also create a risk of causing an accident.

What should we remember?

  • Children and adults under the influence of alcohol should not play with pyrotechnic materials.
  • When setting off firecrackers and fireworks, we should always follow the instructions for their use. It is a good idea to carefully read the instructions on the products before beginning the New Year’s Eve celebrations. Such instructions should be in Polish.
  • We should never use pyrotechnic materials contrary to their intended purpose or in places where their use could endanger people’s lives and health or cause a fire.
  • It is unacceptable to use damaged, torn or previously ignited pyrotechnic products.

Attention! When using pyrotechnic products, we should also remember about animals, for whom the explosions of firecrackers and flares can be extremely stressful.

The officers emphasize that PYROTECHNIC PRODUCTS EXEMPT FROM THE CONCESSION REQUIREMENT MAY BE SOLD ONLY TO ADULTS. SELLING SUCH PRODUCTS TO MINORS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

This may be punishable by up to two years in prison.

What do the regulations say about fireworks?

From the Act on Conducting Business Activity in the Manufacture and Trade of Explosive Materials:

Art. 37: Anyone who sells pyrotechnic products exempt from the concession requirement, or weapons for which no possession permit is required, to minors is subject to a fine, a restriction of liberty or imprisonment for up to two years.

Let us recall that the distribution of pyrotechnic materials is also governed by other legal provisions. Business activity involving the trade of pyrotechnic materials exempt from the concession requirement may be conducted on the basis of an “Entry in the Register of Businesses” or, in the case of individuals, an entry in the register of business activity. Conducting this type of commercial activity without the required notification constitutes an offense.

From the Petty Offenses Code:

Art. 51: Anyone who, by shouting, noise, an alarm or another prank, disturbs the peace, public order or nighttime rest, or causes public outrage, is subject to arrest, restriction of liberty or a fine. If such an act is hooligan in nature or the perpetrator commits it while under the influence of alcohol, they are likewise subject to arrest, restriction of liberty or a fine.

Art. 60: Anyone who conducts business activity without the required notification to the business activity register is subject to restriction of liberty or a fine. Trade in pyrotechnic products may be conducted only in shop premises, back rooms and storage rooms, provided that they meet specified requirements. Thus, trade in pyrotechnic products from vehicles or at marketplaces, for example, is excluded. Conducting trade in the aforementioned products contrary to these conditions may result in specific criminal sanctions.

Art. 83: Anyone who handles explosive or highly flammable materials or radioactive substances carelessly, or violates regulations concerning the manufacture, sale, storage, use or transport of such materials, is subject to arrest, a fine or a reprimand. In serious cases, the elements of the offense of creating an immediate danger of an event threatening the life or health of many people or property on a large scale may be fulfilled.

From the Criminal Code:

Art. 164: Anyone who creates an immediate danger of an event threatening the life or health of many people or property on a large scale, in the form of a fire, an explosion of explosive or highly flammable materials, is subject to imprisonment for between six months and eight years.