The safety of ourselves and our loved ones largely depends on us. Unfortunately, improper use of pyrotechnic products can seriously endanger our health or lives and can also cause fires. Let us act responsibly!

When purchasing pyrotechnic products, let us do so thoughtfully:

  • let us buy fireworks, firecrackers and sparklers from reputable shops, rather than from random vendors, as regulations strictly define the safety requirements for selling and storing pyrotechnic products, including at designated stands where self-service sales are not permitted,
  • let us check whether the product packaging shows any signs of damage or deformation,
  • pyrotechnic products approved for sale should include instructions in Polish specifying safe-use rules, the product catalogue number, the name and address of the manufacturer or the importer’s name, the CE mark confirming that the product is approved for sale, and a four-digit identification number preceded by the letters UN; the packaging should also state the product’s expiry date,
  • let us remember that selling fireworks or firecrackers to minors is a crime, and anyone who commits such an act is subject to a fine, restriction of liberty or imprisonment for up to two years. Let us inform the Police about vendors who sell them to children, as this may protect the youngest, who often fall victim to improper handling of fireworks.

When using fireworks, let us remember:

  • the ban in force in Poland on using firecrackers and other pyrotechnic products in public places, with the restrictions lifted on 31 December and 1 January each year. However, this does not mean that anything goes on those days, because using items containing pyrotechnic products, for example contrary to their intended purpose, can result in a range of negative consequences—not only legal ones, but above all health-related ones,
  • the need to exercise particular caution and not use fireworks in a group or near other people, or in places where they could cause a fire. A firecracker that explodes suddenly can cause burns to the hands and face, as well as more serious bodily injuries,
  • not to allow children to set off pyrotechnic products, even if they ask insistently! Make sure they stay away from the place where fireworks are being set off. Pyrotechnic products may be used only by adults,
  • not to approach unexploded fireworks or try to set them off again. It is also forbidden to dismantle or take apart individual parts of pyrotechnic products, point unlit fireworks in any direction other than upward, place fireworks upside down contrary to the instructions on the label, or throw them into a fire.

It is worth remembering and being aware that the sounds of exploding pyrotechnic products are not good fun for everyone:

  • let us not forget that the noise of firecrackers disturbs animals, which may suffer negative effects from their use and may even be exposed to suffering. Knowing how they react in such situations, let us ensure that they do not experience discomfort associated with this special night and, where possible, protect our four-legged friends from the troublesome sounds of explosions, as stress in animals can sometimes manifest itself in a panicked escape,
  • let us also remember that there are elderly or ill people among us for whom excessive noise can cause fear or discomfort, or simply disturb their rest.

Let us remember that restrictions on the use of fireworks are introduced both by the Misdemeanours Code and by local law, in the form of resolutions adopted by municipal councils or an order issued by the voivode.

Let us work together to ensure that New Year’s Eve and the beginning of the New Year are safe and happy for all of us. Let us act responsibly!