Notification of a fireworks display

Notification of a fireworks display

Only a professional company that has received permission from the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency has the right to arrange a fireworks display.

Notify the local police of any plans to arrange a fireworks display 14 days before the display at the latest. You can also make the notification through the police’s online services. The notice must include the following information: 

  • place of the display 
  • exact time 
  • types of fireworks to be used 
  • storage of fireworks at the fireworks display location 
  • safety distances and other precautions to prevent accidents 
  • contact details of the person in charge and personal and contact details of the persons operating the fireworks. 

Include a copy of the permit received from the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) in the notification. The police must be notified of a fireworks display even if it was arranged in connection with some other public event. 

The police can impose conditions and restrictions on the display if these are considered necessary for public safety and the safe handling of fireworks. The police can also prohibit a fireworks display if safety cannot be guaranteed.

A handling fee is charged for the notification if no conditions or restrictions are needed. If the police impose conditions and restrictions on the display, decision is made on the basis of the notification. The police charge a higher fee for such decision.

 

Fireworks arranged by private persons

You are permitted, for example, to celebrate a family occasion with fireworks. A permit from the emergency authorities is needed for  fireworks. In addition, you must be aged 18 years or over. Private fireworks is not a fireworks display and the police need not be notified of it. 

Notify the emergency authorities of the use of fireworks five days before the event at the latest.

Also notify the emergency authorities of all other events that are not part of a public event. such as setting off leftover fireworks at times other than around the New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve and Venetian festivals

Fireworks are part of New Year’s Eve celebrations. On the New Year’s Eve, you can set off fireworks from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. on the New Year’s Day. 

You can also set off fireworks in Venetian festivals by special permission from the rescue department. Fireworks can be set off between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. during the Venetian festivals. 

Remember that the person setting off fireworks must be 18 years of age or older.