Can firecrackers be set off in the courtyard of an apartment block and how can I avoid problems with my neighbours?

Can firecrackers be set off in the courtyard of an apartment block and how can I avoid problems with my neighbours?

As we count down the last days before the big holidays, the sound of firecrackers going off in cities is increasing. Martynas Naujokas, head of the apartment administration and maintenance company Civinity Namai in Vilnius, tells us whether it is allowed to set off firecrackers and festive fireworks in the vicinity of and in the courtyards of residential buildings, and what to do for unhappy neighbours.

Increasing number of enquiries from residents

Firecrackers and fireworks have long been an integral part of winter festivities. With the start of the sale of festive explosives, cities are filled with the new sounds, which often cause a great deal of annoyance in the neighbourhood. Especially when explosives are fired in the vicinity of residential buildings or in the yards of apartment blocks.

According to Martynas Naujasis of Civinity Namai, during the festive period there is an increase in the number of enquiries from residents about whether it is allowed to set off firecrackers and fireworks in the vicinity of and in the backyards of residential buildings.

“Many customers ask for help because firecrackers are allowed in the yards of apartment blocks and cause a great inconvenience: the sound of exploding firecrackers is frightening for small children and animals. Many people are also worried about the safety of property and people,” says Naujokas.

The permitting of firecrackers and fireworks near residential areas is highly restricted

The law directly prohibits the use of all types of fireworks near kindergartens, educational, medical and rehabilitation institutions, places of worship, and places of worship. If you want to set off firecrackers or fireworks near these places, you should make sure that they are no closer than 30 metres.

Although the law does not directly include dwellings among the buildings where fireworks are prohibited, each municipality has its own procedures which residents should also be aware of.

In Kaunas, the use of civil pyrotechnics is prohibited within 30 metres of residential buildings, while in Vilnius and Klaipėda this distance cannot be less than 75 metres. At lower distances, the use of any pyrotechnics near an apartment building is prohibited at any time of the day.

If the distance from the apartment block is greater, firecrackers or fireworks may be allowed, but at the appropriate time.

The use of pyrotechnics is prohibited from 22.00 to 08.00 throughout Lithuania. The exception is on public holidays, so residents do not commit an offence by setting off fireworks at a suitable distance from dwellings and other buildings on both Christmas days or New Year’s night.

How to avoid problems with neighbours

According to Mr Naujokas, when faced with the problem of pyrotechnics being detonated in violation of the rules, residents of apartment buildings can take several measures.

“First of all, we encourage our neighbours to form communities, to talk and to clearly agree on the rules of procedure that are acceptable in their apartment block. We have seen good examples from our clients where certain rules for living in an apartment block are agreed in the community, put up for all to see and followed by the residents. These rules can include not only pet walking, smoking, repairs, noise prevention, but also the use of pyrotechnics, with a clear agreement on what is tolerated and what is not,” says a Civinity Namai representative.

If the neighbours cannot reach an agreement, residents who are inconvenienced by the fact that pyrotechnics are allowed in violation of the rules can contact the police by calling the general emergency number 112 to report the incident.

Those who do not comply with the procedure may face fines

Violators of the procedure for the use of pyrotechnics are subject to penalties in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Lithuania, with fines ranging from €14 to €60. Use of fireworks at unspecified times or if they are excessively noisy is punishable by a fine of between €20 and €80, and repeated offences are punishable by a fine of between €80 and €300.

Children often play with pyrotechnics, but this does not mean that they will not be held responsible. Parents are responsible for administrative offences committed by children under the age of 16, so they can be fined.