The rush is so great that Mario Hinterreiter hardly finds time for a conversation. “It’s crazy this year, the people are coming en masse,” says the fireworks dealer and trained pyrotechnician.
He is currently in use every day at his stand at Plus City in Pasching. Business is going so well because many supermarkets no longer sell fireworks. Spar, Penny and Lidl have removed firecrackers and rockets from their range. Hofer is letting the corresponding acceptance agreements expire and will be bang-free from next year.
This benefits small traders like Hinterreiter. “Every year at the end of the year we make a large part of our sales, and this year it is already looking very good.” Battery fireworks are particularly in demand: “People want to light them up once and then enjoy the play of colors.”
Because there is a legal minimum age for the purchase of firecrackers for which no special training is required, Hinterreiter very often checks ID cards: “Better once too often than once too little. Sometimes we have 25-year-olds there who are one are a bit puzzled. We don’t want anyone to get injured or young people to do mischief. That falls back on us. “
The exception to the rule
Another reason for the demand could be that this year public fireworks in Upper Austria like the one over the old town of Linz (and the corresponding celebration on the main square) have been canceled. Mayor Klaus Luger (SP) justified this decision with the increased risk of infection that would be feared in a gathering of people.
In most of the other provincial capitals and in Vienna it should remain dark this year – at least according to the guidelines. Salzburg lets rockets rise over the fortress, in Innsbruck a light show is staged over the north chain. In Klagenfurt, firecrackers are also approved for private households from 11.30 p.m. to 0.30 a.m.
And “approved” is the right word here, because according to the law, firing larger rockets from category F2 is generally prohibited in Austria. At least in the local area, i.e. from the town sign, it is not allowed to boll all year round. There is no automated exception for New Year’s Eve either, the mayor has to order this separately.
He is not aware of any municipality in the state that has made such an exception order, says the President of the Association of Municipalities, Hans Hingsamer. “There are only a few public fireworks, but larger events are not possible anyway because of the Corona measures. In private, many will certainly shoot rockets despite the ban.”
Open your eyes when buying firecrackers
Markus Kreilmeier shares this assessment. “The exact extent is always difficult to estimate, but this year too many will not stick to it,” says the expert on explosives and fireworks at the Upper Austria police.
He appeals to reason: “You should be aware that your own bang affects the environment. The question arises as to whether every firecracker that is ignited is really necessary.” If the police become aware of offenses, they will take full force in any case. A fine of up to 3800 euros may apply if the applicable guidelines are violated.
According to the expert, dealing with firecrackers should not be negligent. Caution should be exercised when buying: “Many accidents happen with fireworks that are bought abroad. Often the safety measures prescribed by the Austrian Pyrotechnics Act are missing.”
Just a few days ago a 16-year-old in Eggerding lost part of his finger because he was handling an illegal category F3 firecracker.
“There is a reason that training is required for this in Austria,” says Kreilmeier. In Austria, instructions for use must be printed on the packaging of firecrackers. “If you stick to it, stay sensible and are careful, you can celebrate New Year’s Eve in a safe environment,” says Markus Kreilmeier.
From 4F and 2G rules
In principle, no rockets may be fired in Austria in the local area. The different types of fireworks are, however, according to the Pyrotechnics Act in four categories assigned. Those in category F1 – including fireworks and table fireworks – may always be ignited Category F2 missiles may only be fired in the local area if a corresponding Exemption was hit. In Upper Austria, however, this is unlikely to be the case in any municipality. For the purchase of missiles of the categories F3 and higher you need one pyrotechnic training. In order to be allowed to fire them, an official permit is also required Silvesterpartys are allowed in the private sector Meet 25 people, from 10 people present, 2G applies with a mask requirement. Local may open until 10 p.m. stay, then it’s curfew. Even in the private sector, only 10 people are allowed to celebrate together after this time.
Source: Nachrichten
