Firework-free zones in 78 Dutch municipalities this New Year's

A total of 78 municipalities in the Netherlands are implementing firework-free zones over New Year's this year, AD reports based on a survey of 300 municipalities. These zones are areas within municipalities in which no fireworks may be lit. They're usually located around hospitals, animal shelters or childcare facilities.

There are only three new names on the list of municipalities implementing firework-free zones this year - Ede, Terneuzen and Weesp. The other 75 municipalities also implemented firework-free zones last year.

This year The Hague is conducting an experiment in Scheveningen in which residents themselves can proclaim their street, park or square a firework-free zones. The residents will be responsible for enforcing the firework ban.

Fireworks over New Year's cause a considerable amount of damage each year. According to AD, fireworks damage amounted to 3.5 million euros in the 300 surveyed municipalities over the last New Year's.