Overview
- Klaus Reinhardt of the German Medical Association called for prohibiting private fireworks, saying only organized displays at central locations should be allowed.
- He urged federal and state interior ministries to act, arguing that annual injuries, crowded emergency rooms and insurance costs justify a ban.
- Reinhardt cited risks including eye injuries, burns and acoustic trauma for children, as well as distress for war refugees and misuse of pyrotechnics against emergency services.
- The pyrotechnics association (bvpk) dismissed a blanket ban as culture policy rather than health policy, asserting severe accidents occur largely with illegal fireworks and that legal products are strictly regulated.
- The bvpk pressed for stronger enforcement against illegal devices and pointed to a November 2025 Magdeburg study reporting no measurable relief for emergency departments during past bans, while Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder opposed a general ban on tradition grounds.