Turn of the year - Firecrackers are not allowed everywhere on New Year's Eve
Fireworks at the turn of the year are a tradition for many - but not allowed everywhere. With a general decree, Reutlingen is joining other cities that have had a municipal ban on fireworks in place for several years. In Reutlingen's old town, firecrackers and rockets are taboo on New Year's Eve.
Mayor Thomas Keck is responding to a fire last year, among other things, as the city of Reutlingen announced: "We are sending a clear signal for the protection and preservation of our historic old town." According to the city, "improper use of fireworks" caused a house in a narrow alleyway in the old town to catch fire on New Year's Eve 2022/2023, causing damage to neighboring buildings.
Ban is intended to protect historic buildings
Rockets, gushers, firecrackers and batteries are also banned in Tübingen's old town on New Year's Eve, as a city spokeswoman explained in response to an inquiry. A strict ban on fireworks has been in place since the turn of the year 2009/2010 to protect the historic city center from damage. The ban was triggered - as in Reutlingen - by the fire in a half-timbered house, which caused millions in damage. Violations of the ban can be punished with a fine of up to 50,000 euros.
According to a spokeswoman, fireworks have also not been allowed to be set off in the old town of Constance at the turn of the year for several years. The city points out that only safe fireworks approved in Germany should be used outside this zone.
Stuttgart offers light show instead of fireworks in the city center
A ban on fireworks is also planned within the Stuttgart city ring road in the state capital. According to a spokesperson, a central New Year's Eve celebration will once again take place on Schlossplatz in Stuttgart. In coordination with the police, an ordinance will be issued banning the setting off and carrying of fireworks in this area. According to the spokesperson, this is to protect visitors to the city center and Schlossplatz. Public fireworks displays are not planned - alternatively, a large light show on the palace façade will ring in the New Year.
Many cities waive municipal bans
Irrespective of municipal bans and restrictions, there are nationwide rules for New Year's Eve fireworks: according to an ordinance to the Explosives Act, there is a ban on the burning of pyrotechnic objects in the immediate vicinity of churches, hospitals, children's and old people's homes and particularly fire-sensitive buildings or facilities such as petrol stations.
Beyond these nationwide rules, no bans are planned in Freiburg, Ulm, Mannheim, Heidelberg and Heilbronn. According to a Freiburg spokeswoman, the municipality can define a zone in which fireworks are banned to protect particularly fire-sensitive buildings. However, there is no such area in Freiburg. Münsterplatz, for example, is already included in the federal ban. "As last year, however, the city is appealing to citizens to refrain from using rockets and fireworks at the turn of the year."
In Karlsruhe, firecrackers are banned on Schlossplatz and Marktplatz in accordance with the nationwide regulation, according to a city spokesperson. There will also be a firecracker-free New Year's Eve program with a DJ and laser show on the Schlossplatz.
According to the spokespersons, central firework displays are not planned in any of the cities in question.
PM of the city of Reutlingen with plan of the prohibited zone General ordinance of the city of Tübingen Plan of the prohibited zone of the city of Tübingen First ordinance to the Explosives Act General ordinance of the city of Constance
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In Baden-Württemberg's Reutlingen, the city center is firecracker-free on New Year's Eve due to a general decree. Similar bans exist in Tübingen's old town since 2009/2010, prompted by a house fire. Stuttgart is planning a ban on fireworks within its city ring road, substituting with a light show on Castle Square. Constance only allows approved German fireworks outside a designated zone. Many cities, like Freiburg and Ulm, waive municipal bans but have restrictions in place. Karlsruhe banned firecrackers on Schlossplatz and Marktplatz, offering an alternative New Year's Eve program.
Despite nationwide rules banning pyrotechnic objects near sensitive buildings, there are no plans for city-wide bans in Freiburg, Heidelberg, Heilbronn, Mannheim, or Ulm. Reutlingen's Mayor Thomas Keck emphasized the ban as a safety measure for historic buildings. Tübingen prohibits rockets, gushers, and batteries on New Year's Eve to protect their historic city center.
Both Reutlingen and Tübingen have issued plans outlining the prohibited zones, while the first ordinance to the Explosives Act sets nationwide rules. For a safer New Year's Eve celebration, cities encourage citizens to use only approved fireworks and avoid using firecrackers.
Source: www.stern.de
