Safe use of fireworks urged on New Year Eve

The Helsinki Police Department is maintaining public order and safety in Helsinki on New Year’s Eve with particular attention to the safe use of fireworks, said Police in a press release on Tuesday.

In particular, the police will pay attention to people’s handling of fireworks and, if necessary, intervene.

The police will focus on Helsinki New Year celebrations at Kansalaistori and enforcing the ban on fireworks.

In general, lighting fireworks is allowed from 6:00 p.m. on 31 December 2025 until 2:00 a.m. on 1 January 2026.

The police remind everyone to use fireworks responsibly and urged the parents to not allow minors to use fireworks.

Police also warned that an adult is always responsible for children´s fireworks.

Any fireworks and explosives possessed by minors will always be confiscated. It is now mandatory to use safety goggles when lighting fireworks.

In addition, the police remind everyone that alcohol can be possessed and consumed only by people over the age of 18. Parents are responsible for making sure their children and young people celebrate the New Year safely.

One major focus of surveillance is to combat substance abuse problems and crime against children and young people, as well as crimes committed by young people.

"Parents are responsible for ensuring that children and young people celebrate safely. The police encourage people to report disturbances and crimes targeting young people in particular to the emergency number, as these do not always come to the attention of the police," said Chief Inspector Harri Kopra of Helsinki Police.