New Year and Christmas are traditionally among the most beloved and anticipated holidays for both children and adults. They are usually prepared for in advance, with the aim of making these days joyful and leaving the best possible memories.

In the run-up to the holidays, the New Year tree deserves special attention. Christmas tree markets start operating actively across the country from mid-December. Each of us wants to have the fluffiest, most beautiful, and most festive tree in our home. However, amidst the festive atmosphere, safety should not be forgotten. To ensure that New Year and Christmas leave only happy memories, let's recall some simple rules for setting up our festive fir:

1. What should we pay attention to first to prevent a fire from the Christmas tree in our apartment or house?

The Christmas tree must be securely fixed on a stable stand. It is best to remove carpets and rugs from under the tree. When choosing a location for your festive fir, consider not only where it will look most impressive but also where it will be safest – typically, this means placing it away from heating appliances, televisions, and radiators.

2. What danger does an artificial Christmas tree pose? Is it as safe as sellers claim?

Most artificial Christmas trees are highly flammable and release toxic substances when burning. This applies mostly to older models, as many modern trees (typically imported and quite expensive) are made from non-flammable materials or are treated with a special fire-retardant coating. Therefore, it is better to replace an old artificial tree with a real one – it brings more joy and less danger. However, do not keep a real Christmas tree for too long: it dries out quickly and can ignite from the slightest spark.

3. What decorations should be used for a Christmas tree from a safety perspective?

The best decoration for a New Year tree is an electric garland. The most important recommendation is to purchase it from stores, not from street vendors in underpasses or markets.

Remember that under no circumstances should you leave garlands and other electrical appliances switched on unattended, and certainly not overnight.

Diverse pyrotechnic products are an integral part of New Year's celebrations, pushing aside the good old Christmas tree decorations, balloons
and confetti. But at the same time, there is another side.

Injuries of varying severity, fatalities, damage to property and housing – all this is the result of an unsuccessful launch of pyrotechnics. Its unskilled and irresponsible use turns a holiday into a tragedy. To avoid this, from January 2025, a complete ban on retail and wholesale trade of most types of pyrotechnic products has been introduced in Belarus. The measures were introduced by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of 03.01.2025 No. 3 "On the circulation of pyrotechnic products".

The ban applies to ALL products of hazard classes II, III, IV, and V: batteries, fountains, Roman candles, rockets, firecrackers. This means that no one, nowhere, and in no way on the territory of Belarus
has the right to sell you fireworks, Roman candles, rockets, firecrackers
and other pyrotechnics. Neither a specialized pyrotechnics store,
nor professionals with extensive experience, nor "fireworkers", nor animators, nor marketplaces (like OZON or Wildberries), no one!

The following are permitted for sale: sparklers, party poppers, cake fountains (cold sparks).

The ban does not apply to:

1. Wholesale sale of pyrotechnic products by legal entities holding a permit (certificate) for the right to sell technical pyrotechnic products of hazard classes IV and V.

2. Wholesale and retail trade of sparklers, party poppers, cake candles (cold spark fountains).

It is also necessary to remember that there is liability for the use of pyrotechnics:

- administrative: a fine of up to 1260 Belarusian rubles (30 base units), community service, or arrest;

- criminal: if harm to health or property is caused – a case under Article 299 or 339 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus and a real prospect of imprisonment;

This year, noisy celebrations will have to be replaced with safe sparklers and party poppers.

Adhering to these simple rules will allow you to celebrate the New Year in a beautiful, fun, and safe way.