Editing Fireworks (section)

==== Germany ====
In [[Germany]], amateurs over 18 years old are allowed to buy and ignite fireworks of Category F2 for several hours on 31 December and 1 January; each German municipality is authorised to limit the number of hours this may last locally.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Daniela Siebert|date=27 December 2017|title=Sicher durch die Silvesternacht|language=de|work=Deutschlandfunk|url=http://www.deutschlandfunk.de/feuerwerk-sicher-durch-die-silvesternacht.735.de.html?dram:article_id=406860|url-status=dead|access-date=29 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229171952/http://www.deutschlandfunk.de/feuerwerk-sicher-durch-die-silvesternacht.735.de.html?dram:article_id=406860|archive-date=29 December 2017}}</ref> The sale of Category F3 and F4 fireworks to consumers is prohibited.<ref name="OVV"/> Lighting fireworks is forbidden near churches, hospitals, retirement homes and wooden or [[Thatching|thatch]]-roofed buildings.<ref name="OVV"/> All major German cities organise professional fireworks shows.<ref name="OVV"/>

In addition to the previously existing regulations, there was a nationwide ban on the sale of category F2 fireworks to consumers on New Year's Eve 2020/2021 during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Germany|COVID-19 pandemic]], with the aim to relieve the burden on hospitals by reducing the number of emergencies due to injuries caused by fireworks on New Year's Eve.<ref>{{cite news |title=German fireworks-makers say ban due to COVID is catastrophic for industry |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-fireworks-makers-say-ban-due-covid-is-catastrophic-industry-2021-12-02/ |work=Reuters |date=2 December 2021}}</ref> On [[2024–2025 German New Year's Eve pyrotechnics incidents|the 2024–2025 New Year's eve and day]], five were killed and 100+ were injured due to unusually intense widespread criminality and negligence.