A national fireworks ban will apply from next year, but in Tilburg fireworks have not been allowed since 2023. Yet acting mayor Onno Hoes fears that people will stock up en masse across the border and store it illegally in sheds. “That is life-threatening,” he says.
Tilburg and Eindhoven are the two Brabant cities where consumers are not allowed to light fireworks. Despite the upcoming national ban, Hoes sees dangers. These concerns have to do with the possibility that it remains possible to stock up on fireworks in neighboring countries Belgium and Germany.
According to him, a European ban on consumer fireworks is therefore necessary. “It is now safely stored in shops, but soon people will store it themselves in a shed. That is life-threatening,” says Hoes.
In addition, he expects people to stock up on extra fireworks this year. Some of it will go into the air this New Year and some will be saved for next year. “If people start storing at home, then you have a risk for a whole year.”
It already happens that people store fireworks en masse. For example, last weekend 552 kilos of heavy, illegal fireworks were found in a shed in Eindhoven. The police also found large quantities of fireworks in several places in Brabant on Monday, including Sint-Michielsgestel.
Extra bang this year
Hoes expects that there will be extra explosions this year. The municipality of Tilburg is also prepared for this. “There are many extra police officers, ambulances, firefighters and riot police,” he sums up. “But let’s keep it a bit quiet together.”
Due to the fireworks ban in Tilburg, subsidy schemes have been created to organize events where people can come together. This year, for example, there will be a countdown moment at the Stadsforum with live music, a light show and some fireworks.
Little major inconvenience
Hoes looks positively at the fireworks ban in his city. According to him, there has been little major nuisance from fireworks in recent years. But: “Enforcement is almost impossible,” he says. “People really have to report themselves where there is a nuisance. Then we have to be there in time, before the bird has flown.”