While they may be pretty, fireworks are also awfully noisy, cause damage and injuries. The Dutch Safety Board is considering a national ban, but for now, it is up to each neighbourhood whether to permit them or not – so where are they banned in Friesland?
Translation by Traci White
A survey conducted by Omrop Fryslân found that of the 17 municipalities in Friesland, five of them are planning to enforce fireworks free zones on New Year’s Eve.
The five areas are in the vicinity of the Formerum windmill on the island of Terschelling, a petting zoo on Schiermonnikoog, several retirement homes in Leeuwarden and Het Vierkant, a recreational centre in Harlingen.
The retirement homes in Leeuwarden with a local ban in place are the Erasmushiem, De Hofwijck and Greunshiem, and the ban has been in place in those areas in past years as well. In Súdwest-Fryslân, a hospice centre in Sneek had requested that a fireworks ban be put in place, which was denied; however, the municipality has informed residents living in the vicinity to be considerate to the inhabitants of the facility.
The city of Drachten will be setting up nine fireworks free zones, primarily areas with a lot of pedestrian traffic, shopping centres, an asylum seekers centre and the city’s bus station.
Photo source: Suvan Chowdhury/Pexels
