Firework and alcohol sales banned in multiple French departments for Halloween
Dozens of cars were burned on October 31 last year. The interior ministry has also released tips on how to stay safe tonight
The ban lasts until November 4 in some areas
Jim Strasma / @straz / Unsplash
Departments across France have temporarily banned the sale of fireworks – and in some cases alcohol – to reduce the risk of accidents on Halloween (tonight, October 31).
Local authorities are looking to reduce the number of firefighter callouts, which last year reached into the hundreds in some departments.
More than 70 cars were burnt last Halloween across France, with dozens of arrests being made.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau asked local prefectures to enact “a high level of vigilance and the full mobilisation of internal security forces” tonight, according to a document seen by French media Actu.
Departments including Moselle, Sarthe, Alpes-Maritimes, Bas-Rhin, Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Puy-de-Dôme have or will temporarily ban the sale of fireworks, with restrictions in some places lasting until November 4.
Traditional fireworks that you stick in the ground, as well as roman candles and firecrackers, are all included in the ban.
In Ille-et-Vilaine, the selling of alcohol will also be prohibited this evening, alongside fireworks, and in other departments portable jerrycans of fuel or gas canisters is included in the ban.
The interior ministry has launched an information campaign on staying safe during Halloween, including wearing brightly coloured costumes to be more easily-recognised by drivers. It also includes information on how children can stay safe when ‘trick-or-treating’.
Halloween is not a traditional celebration in France – the bank holiday the following day, Toussaint, is usually the focus – however in recent years it has grown in popularity.
Read more: Bank holidays, Beaujolais Nouveau, taxe d'habitation: Key dates in November
Riot fears
Prefectures are also concerned over the use of fireworks against police officers, after rioters used them extensively in last year’s protests over the death of Nahel, a 17-year old boy shot by police.
Read more: France bans fireworks for July 14 celebrations amid violence fears
A Senate report earlier this year proposed a number of solutions, such as banning online firework sales, but rules have yet to be changed.
However, departmental authorities can temporarily ban all sales of fireworks – as some have opted to do – during certain periods.
