Rockets, launchers, firecrackers, sparklers, fountains. Bolesławiec sellers of pyrotechnic products—despite numerous appeals not to set them off on New Year's Eve—are not complaining about a lack of interest in their offerings.

Interestingly, our western neighbours do not spare any expense on fireworks. In Poland, they buy large-calibre firecrackers because such products cannot be bought in Germany.

However, people sometimes buy fireworks for purposes other than celebrating the New Year. For example, to... scare away a mole that is wreaking havoc in the garden.

What do you think? We invite you to join the discussion.

What does the police say?

On the last night of December, during wonderful celebrations among those closest to us, New Year's Eve displays take place, “adding colour” to the welcoming of the New Year. Until now, large organised New Year's Eve events could not do without fireworks displays. That, too, is beginning to change.

The increasing availability of lasers means that we now use them more often—in combination with music, they leave us with incredible memories of New Year's Eve.

Police:

We realise 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, can also result in the danger of causing an unfortunate accident.

What should we remember?

  • pyrotechnic materials should not be handled by children or adults under the influence of alcohol
  • when setting off firecrackers and fireworks, we should always follow the instructions for their use. It is a good idea to read the instructions on the products carefully before starting 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 forbidden to use pyrotechnic products that are damaged, torn apart or have already been set off once.

Warning! When using pyrotechnic products, we should also remember about animals, for which the explosion of firecrackers and flares can be a major source of stress.

The uniformed services stress that PYROTECHNIC PRODUCTS EXEMPT FROM THE LICENSING REQUIREMENT MAY BE SOLD ONLY TO ADULTS. SELLING SUCH PRODUCTS TO MINORS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.

This may carry a prison sentence of up to two years.

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 licensing 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 licensing requirement may be conducted on the basis of an “Entry in the register of enterprises” or, in the case of natural persons, an entry in the register of business activity. Conducting this type of commercial activity without the required notification constitutes an offence.

From the Petty Offences Code:

Art. 51: Anyone who, by shouting, making noise, sounding an alarm or committing another disturbance, disrupts the peace, public order or night-time rest, or causes scandal in a public place, is subject to arrest, restriction of liberty or a fine. At the same time, if such an act is hooliganistic in nature or the perpetrator commits it while under the influence of alcohol, they are 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 exclusively in shop premises, back rooms and storage rooms, provided that they meet specific requirements. Thus, trading in pyrotechnic products from cars or at marketplaces, for example, is prohibited. Conducting trade in the above-mentioned 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 offence of directly creating a danger of an incident threatening the life or health of many people or property of considerable value may be fulfilled.

From the Criminal Code:

Art. 164: Anyone who creates a direct danger of an incident threatening the life or health of many people or property of considerable value, 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.