The Grand Ducal Police has issued a warning about the dangers of fireworks in the week leading up to New Year's Eve.

Firecrackers, flares and other pyrotechnics can be purchased over the counter by members of the public; the police have urged those who purchase fireworks to observe strictly the precautions concerning each and every firework.

Each year on new year's eve, numerous accidents happen when handling fireworks, most of which are used by misuse or careless use of pyrotechnics, with young people injured most often when handling such explosives without enough due care and attention. The police have stressed the importance of reading the instructions of use and remembering how to handle explosives.

The consequences are often nasty burns of one's hands and face, not to mention the damage caused by fires resulting from uncontrollable explosions of these projectiles either inside or outside housing.

The advice of the police is along the following points related to the sale and purchase of such articles are strictly regulated:

1. Autorisations: Each outlet where pyrotechnics are stored and / or sold must have an operating permit / authorisation.

2. Classes of pyrotechnic items for sale: Only pyrotechnics articles of Class I and Class II may be sold for entertainment purposes. Pyrotechnic articles of Class III, Class IV and T2 may only be sold to persons aged at least 18 who have successfully completed a relevant training course with regard to fire and on presentation of a training diploma.

3. Age Limits: Under Article 24 of the Grand Ducal Royal Decree of 20 April 1881 on the transport, trade and filing of gunpowder and other explosives, pyrotechnic articles may not be sold to persons aged under 16 years.

4. Sales Points: In sales premises pyrotechnic articles of Classes I and II can only be stored with a total gross weight of 100 kg; 80 kg must be stored in locked cabinets and 20 kg can be displayed without packing in a window inside the sales premises.

The use of any fireworks by minors under any circumstances is strickly prohibited.

Safety instructions for the use of fireworks include the following:

• Keep fireworks in a cool, dry, ventilated area, out of reach of children.
• Choose a sufficiently large and unobstructed location away from obstacles from where they can be set off. (30m x 30m)
• Use a good base for firing such as a wheelbarrow filled with earth or sand.
• Keep water at hand: get rid of used fireworks (including debris) into a bucket of water.
• Wait at least 30 minutes before approaching any fireworks, whether they ignite or not.
• Unless otherwise stated on the label, bury half of each fireworks that are not supplied with a support.
• Children must be supervised by an adult during the use of fireworks.
• Light all fireworks carefully; Always light the tip of the wick.
• Never attempt to relight a firework that did not explode.
• Never attempt to repair a defective firework.
• Never light a firework or hold a lit piece of a firework, except sparklers.

In addition, the Grand Ducal Police have reminded members of the public that to set off fireworks in any municipality across Lucembourg requires prior authorisation from the relevant municipal administration, regardless of being on a public road or on private property.