On 7 December 2010, Helsinki City Rescue Department’s Rescue Commander decided to restrict the use of fireworks in Helsinki on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. This restriction does not apply to the New Year’s receptions that include firework shows, which have been duly notified to the police and other authorities.

The use of fireworks is forbidden between 6 pm 31 December 2010 and 2 am 1 January 2011 in the following Helsinki City areas:

• Core city centre area including the following street areas: Yliopistokatu – Mikonkatu – Railway Station Square – Asema-aukio Square and Elielinaukio Square – Postikuja – Mannerheiminaukio Square – Paasikivenaukio Square – Salomonkatu – Narinkkatori Market – Simonkatu – Mannerheimintie – Erottaja – Eteläesplanadi – Market Square – Mariankatu – Aleksanterinkatu – Senate Square.
• Oulunkylä Shopping Centre
• Ylä-Malmi Market
• Pihlajamäki Shopping Centre
• Ala-Malmi Market
• Töölöntori Market
• Vanha kirkkopuisto Park (so-called pest park)
• Maatullinaukio Square
• Kontula Shopping Centre
• Itäkeskus Shopping Centre and Tallinnanaukio Square
• Helsinki Market Hall background and parking area
• Sinebrychoff Park area
• Kaisaniemi and Kaivopuisto Park areas
• Kannelmäki Sitratori Market, Youth Centre and Kannelmäki Station areas
• Malminkartano Square and Malminkartano Station areas
• Vaasan aukio Square area
• Hakaniemi Market and Ympyrätalo building area

In other than the above-mentioned areas of Helsinki, fireworks can be used between 6 pm 31 December 2010 and 2 am 1 January 2011. Use requires the following:

• Fireworks cannot be given to minors or intoxicated persons.
• It is obligatory by law to use protective goggles when firing fireworks.
• Fireworks must be handled with due caution in order to prevent injuries and damages.
• Fireworks must be fired in an open place away from people and houses.
• Users are obliged to clean up after themselves on land owned by the city.
• Firework users are obliged to compensate for any damages they cause, and particular attention needs to be paid to the fact that it is absolutely forbidden to fire red distress rockets and firearms as fireworks.
  

For more information, please contact:

Chief Fire Safety Inspector Karim Mokaddem, tel. +358 9 310 30321

Appendix: Map of the fireworks-ban area