Safety Rules and Regulations You Must Follow to Avoid Firework Misuse

To ensure that New Year’s Eve passes without accidents, the National Directorate General for Civil Protection (OKF) has published important guidelines for handling pyrotechnics. Spokesperson Dániel Mukics warns against illegal purchases and reckless behavior.

Every year, improperly ignited rockets and the (illegal) use of firecrackers lead to serious injuries and fires. To prevent such incidents, the spokesperson for the National Directorate General for Disaster Management urges the public to exercise extreme caution. Safety begins at the point of purchase: fireworks should only be bought from licensed, officially approved retailers, where trained staff ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.

A licensed distributor of pyrotechnic products and fireworks in Nyíregyháza on December 29, 2025. Photo: MTI/Balázs Attila

Once purchased, the dangers often lurk in the home or car.

Pyrotechnic devices must never be left in the vehicle,”

emphasizes Dániel Mukics.

At home, they must be stored in a dry, cool place, far away from radiators or stoves. It is particularly important to ensure that children and pets cannot access them.

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There are clear legal rules for the use of pyrotechnics:

Time period: Only from December 31, 6:00 p.m., to January 1, 6:00 a.m.
Location: Exclusively outdoors (garden or public space).
Prohibition: Lighting fireworks from balconies or windows in apartment buildings is life-threatening and strictly prohibited.

The disaster management authorities have compiled a list of rules of conduct that can save lives:

Read the instructions. Before lighting fireworks, make sure to check their trajectory and ensure the required safety distance is maintained. Never point it at people, animals, plants, vehicles, or buildings.
Keep your distance. Never launch rockets under trees, power lines, or near buildings. Do not launch fireworks in strong winds.
Be careful with duds. If a firework does not ignite, keep a distance of at least 15 minutes. After that, the object should be soaked in water to prevent delayed ignition.
Do not tamper. Never attempt to open or modify fireworks, and do not reuse pyrotechnics that have become damp, even after drying.

Fires often start after the fireworks display is over. Therefore, hot remains must not be disposed of in the trash immediately. “It often happens that trash cans catch fire and the flames spread to nearby cars or buildings,” warns the spokesperson.

The disaster management authorities appeal to citizens to act responsibly so that rescue workers can have as peaceful a New Year’s Eve as possible.

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