Headline: Majority of Dutchiders Back Vuvuwerk Ban; Safety Concerns Prevail Ahead of New Year
Subheadline: Two-thirds of women and 74% of seniors support an outright ban on consumer fireworks, as they feel increasingly unsafe on the streets, especially during New Year’s.
Article:
A staggering 60% of Dutch people are in favor of an outright ban on consumer fireworks, according to a recent survey by RTL Nieuws’ panel of nearly 20,000 participants. The sharp increase from last year’s 55% highlights growing safety concerns, particularly among women and the elderly.
"Many women and seniors feel increasingly unsafe on the streets, especially during the New Year’s celebrations," said Gijs Rademaker, opinion pollster for RTL Nieuws. "Harsh explosions from illicit fireworks cause fear and an unsafe feeling. They also stress and frighten pets and wildlife."
READ MORE: New Year’s Eve Fireworks Overload and Noise Pollution ‘Too Normal’ for Many Dutch
The dislike for pre-New Year’s fireworks is profound, with 80% of respondents agreeing that it’s become ‘too normal’ to set off fireworks weeks before the actual celebration. "The main offenders are youths causing havoc in the neighborhood with large bangs and blasts. Many public shelters are destroyed by fireworks," one respondent lamented.
However, only 7% of people always or often report fireworks nuisance to the police or municipality, primarily due to a lack of belief in effective action or misguided priorities.
"Handhald, handhald, handhald. That’s the biggest demand from citizens," Rademaker reports. "While a ban and professional fireworks shows by professionals are also popular suggestions, most people feel the government has lost control over the fireworks problem."
In the absence of robust enforcement, 91% of respondents claim they won’t intervene when witnessing fireworks misuse, fearing confrontation or even violence. "Speaking up about fireworks could get you beaten or victimized. It happened to my neighbor," one respondent revealed.
Plastic surgeons recently raised the alarm about the rising number of young fireworks victims, with cases of severe injuries and amputations on the rise.
"My colleagues and I see an increasing number of young patients with severe injuries from illicit fireworks each year," said plastic surgeon Ernst Smits. "It’s unnecessary and life-altering, all for a moment of entertainment."
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In a rare confession, only 1% of respondents admitted to using illicit fireworks, but 36% saw it among their neighbors or friends. For them, it’s ‘more beautiful and cheaper’ while downplaying the risks. "Just keep quiet and stay sober while setting them off," advised one respondent.
Meanwhile, a growing number of municipalities are introducing fireworks bans, with 19 cities and villages joining the ranks this year. However, enforcement remains spotty, and illicit fireworks continue to light up the skies.
This article is part of a series exploring the Dutch perspective on fireworks and the countdown to New Year’s.
SEEN ON RTL NIEUWS: [Video: ‘I Almost Lost My Fingers Playing With Fireworks’](https://www.rtl.nl/videos/nieuws/panelen/ quaad(streaming)/(video_sturing/(ARTICLE_5485986/)(urn:asset:14be11b9866848868276445a1dominal_d03de5f25a764b5bb27cfe0d2c9fc3(6653,1463,x))))
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