At the beginning of 2022/2023, fireworks damage was still 15.5 million euros. Now it is much less, amounting to 8 million euros. Only on New Year’s Eve 2020/2021, the first New Year’s Eve during the Corona pandemic, was the damage less. Then there was talk of banning fireworks and the coronavirus lockdown. Before the Corona pandemic, fireworks damage often exceeded €10 million per year.
According to insurance companies, this decrease is due in part to local fireworks bans or fireworks-free zones. Fireworks were banned in sixteen municipalities at the turn of the year. This was the first time this time in Tilburg, Arnhem, Amersfoort and Eindhoven.
“The bad weather may also have had a positive impact,” believes Richard Weerding, Director General of the Association of Dutch Insurers. “We see a continued decline in private claims on New Year’s Eve.
There were also fewer fire reports at the turn of the year. Fire Rescue, the first aid service provided by insurance companies in the event of a fire, responded 88 times during New Year’s Eve. A year ago this happened 105 times.
