New Year's fireworks will be municipally organized in six cities this year – Ventspils, Ogre, Daugavpils, Jēkabpils, Rēzekne, and Valmiera. Local governments are slowly returning to this festive tradition, but the pyrotechnics industry is still feeling forgotten.
“Attitudes towards our industry from different sides, both local governments and different organizations, say dogs, cats [rights supporters]… These years are difficult for us, it is difficult for the industry because the attitude is denial,” Jānis Nutovcs, chairman of the Board of the Association of Independent Pyrotechnicians, told LTV.
On the other hand, at a pyrotechnic store in Riga, Latvian Radio learned that the responsiveness of residents is high. People spend up to €400 on fireworks.
"Mostly everyone buys [fireworks worth] €35-45. Of course, some also get them worth EUR 90-100. Also 400.[..] Cooperatives have much grander fireworks. There were very few in November, but there are quite a few customers now, especially in the evening. Queues are forming,” the store vendor, who has wanted to remain anonymous, told Latvian Radio.
Law enforcement officers are also active on these days, testing pyrotechnic dealers nationwide, monitoring whether they comply with safety regulations, market licensed goods, and not sell pyrotechnic items to children. The state police say conclusions and data on the checks carried out will be in January.
Local governments may regulate the use of pyrotechnics in different ways. For example, Sigulda municipality decided in the first half of the year to ban all fireworks except on New Year, but now the rules have been relaxed. This year residents should take into account that fireworks will be allowed to be held in Sigulda for only an hour – from 23:30 to 0:30. Ogre, on the other hand, will allow to do so from midnight to one o'clock at night.
Medics warn residents ahead of the festivities that the use of pyrotechnic items should be very careful.
“Every year, it is during the New Year that Emergency Medical Service medics must provide assistance to those who have been negligent in handling various pyrotechnic articles due to recklessness and the influence of alcohol. When it comes to the most pronounced pyrotechnic injuries, unfortunately, they are mostly severe,” the service spokeswoman Laura Bērziņa said.
Doctors are urging people to be careful and act responsibly. Rīga Municipal Police, too, asked everyone to be cautious and not put themselves or others at risk.
