The number of people injured by fireworks during the Christmas/New Year festive season is increasing. In 2013 to 2014, nine people were injured and five in the 2014 to 2015 festive season. The total then increased markedly in the following years, going up to 15 in the same period for 2015 to 2016 and 20 for 2016 to 2017. This emerges from a response from the Minister for Consumer Protection, Kris Peeters, to a written parliamentary question by the Flemish Christian Democrats deputy, Leen Dierick.
Kris Peeters bases this upon data requested by the FPS Economy from the emergency services in hospitals in Belgium. In the majority of cases, the victims were men and youngsters. Of the 18 victims who were injured over the Christmas period 2016 to 2017, there were 14 men and 12 minors.
During checks carried out by the FPS Economy during the Christmas/New Year festive season in 2016 to 2017, 19 operational issues were identified in particular fireworks. In 10 such cases, these issues were sufficiently significant and justified the withdrawal of these articles from sale. Nine articles presenting a serious risk were also indicated to other EU countries, by means of the so-called RAPEX (the “Rapid Alert System”).
The Brussels Times
