FIREWORKS DO NOT BELONG IN NATIONAL PARKS

Safer New Year's celebrations, less noise, and protection for people and animals. New rules for fireworks have come into effect.

Effective December 1, 2025, Amendment No. 344/2025 Coll. to Act No. 206/2015 Coll. on Pyrotechnic Products and Their Handling (the Pyrotechnics Act) will come into force.

This legislative amendment brings a fundamental clarification of the definition of locations where the handling of pyrotechnic products is prohibited, with the exception of category F1. The amendment thus responds to a number of safety, environmental, and public health risks associated with the use of pyrotechnics in sensitive environments.

What specifically does the amendment regulate?

Newly defined areas are those in which the use of pyrotechnic products in categories F2–F4 is prohibited, namely in a protective zone 250 meters from selected sensitive objects and locations. Only the use of category F1 products, which include sparklers, firecrackers, and small fountains, remains permitted in this zone. Category F1 is characterized by a low explosive content and is freely available from the age of 15; stricter requirements apply to other categories, including safety distance restrictions.

Which locations are covered by the ban?

The legal restrictions mainly affect areas in the vicinity of:

- inpatient healthcare facilities,

- homes for the elderly and homes for people with disabilities,

- day care centers,

- animal shelters and rescue stations,

- zoos,

- farm buildings with registered animals (large agricultural farms and private farms with horses, sheep, goats, cows, and bees).

Reasons for the restrictions:

The amendment is based on several important considerations:

Animal protection: The noise and light effects of pyrotechnics seriously disturb wild and domestic animals, causing panic, hiding, disorientation, or injury, as well as economic losses in agricultural operations.

Protection of people: Loud noises and flashes disturb local residents, patients in healthcare facilities, and visitors to sensitive facilities, especially the elderly and people with disabilities.

Environment and public health: The combustion products of pyrotechnics contribute to increased concentrations of heavy metals and other pollutants in the air, which has a negative impact on air quality and can worsen the health of the population.

Fire risk and property safety: In protected natural areas and near farm buildings, pyrotechnics increase the risk of fire and property damage.

Consequences of violating the ban:

Violations of the established bans and restrictions are punishable by fines of up to CZK 100,000. This punishment is intended to discourage risky behavior and ensure that sensitive areas are protected from the negative effects of excessive use of fireworks.