As the holiday season approaches, you may be seeing an increase in the use of firecrackers and fireworks near you. Julie, a Brussels resident, is worried about the well-being of her pets and wonders if they are allowed.
Julie is at the end of her rope, she can no longer stand hearing explosions near her home. Every year, in December, as the holidays approach, she denounces the use of fireworks in her neighborhood of Evere, in Brussels: “Every year, it’s the same, already two or three weeks before New Year’s Eve, groups of idiots have fun throwing firecrackers and lighting fireworks at any time“, protests the Brussels resident, owner of several animals. “They’re terrified, get fed up!”
The resident of Evere therefore contacted us via the orange Alert us button. “Wasn’t that forbidden?“, asks Julie. Indeed, since 2023, any use of fireworks and firecrackers in the Brussels region is prohibited, confirms Audrey Dereymaeker, spokesperson for the BruNo police zone. Offenders risk up to 500 euros fine.
Observe the offense
However, law enforcement sometimes has difficulty detecting the offense. “It’s complicated to act, you have to be present before they light up so that a team can intervene, otherwise the police put themselves in danger“, underlines the spokesperson. The police must also be sure to draw up a report for the right person, which is not an easy thing either, since it can be difficult to see the exact person who bought and lit fireworks after the fact. Result of the accounts, the police work a lot upstream to prevent fireworks from falling into the wrong hands.We are carrying out awareness campaigns to indicate that it is dangerous, we can really get hurt. There is also a risk of fire if a window is open, for example.“, warns Audrey Dereymaeker.
It can be very dangerous
One of the key actions of the police is to control places of business that sell fireworks. “You need approval from the FPS Economy to sell fireworks but we have noted that people continue to buy them on sites in China or the Netherlands. It happens in small businesses that don’t have approval or appropriate storage, so it can be very dangerous. We work with the FPS Economy to carry out seizures and destruction”relates the police spokesperson. In 2023, the BruNo police zone, which works in three Brussels municipalities, seized around a hundred stocks from street vendors.
Dangers to animals
The dangers are numerous for humans, but for animals too, these detonations can have serious consequences: “Some animals are frightened, and fear generates stress. Those who have heart problems may develop more serious problems such as heart attacks.”explains Marcel Renard, veterinarian.
Fear can also cause escapes or problems that persist in the long term: “Sometimes, we must desensitize animals who become frightened by the sounds of firecrackers, because they become frightened with any bang, this creates a phobia, as soon as there is a sharp noise like a door slam, the dog can swerve , or run away. The animal can also bite or destroy furniture.
Desensitize animals
To remedy these behavioral disorders, the veterinarian recommends taking sedatives or herbal remedies. Therapy may also be recommended in certain cases:We sometimes have to desensitize certain animals who develop phobias”explains Marcel Renard.
The rules
In Brussels, all types of fireworks are prohibited. This means that the possession, transport, use, preparatory acts for lighting, exhibition and sale of “fireworks” material, including sound cannons or carbide cannons throughout its territory is prohibited until March 3, 2025 inclusive.
In Wallonia, everything depends on the municipality, so check with your municipal administration. Walloon Brabant goes further and prohibits the use of pyrotechnic devices by individuals during the holiday period: from December 23 to January 2, 2025 inclusive.
What to do about nuisances?
If you witness the illegal use of fireworks, police advise you to:
- Do not intervene yourself.
- Call the police.
- Film the scene if possible.
The use of illegal fireworks can result in municipal administrative penalties of up to 500 euros.
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