New year and the firework culture over here

We weren't actually here over new year, but when we returned, we found this bag in our post box.  It is a sack for collecting the remains of fireworks.

According to my sources (personal and online) it would seem that the Dutch go firework mad at new year - and I'm not talking about some officially organised firework display, or a careful few fireworks in someone's back garden, where everyone keeps their distance from the pyrotechnics.  Apparently people (including children) take to the streets after midnight with bags of fireworks and set them off in their hands (or in drains or postboxes - although reports say that these are sometimes blocked up).  

I really have no wish to judge another culture negatively, but merely wish to comment that, to a Brit, with our well-ingrained sense of 'elf and safety' when it comes to anything firework-related, this all seems quite incredible.

According to an English-speaking, online news report, dozens of people were injured across the country this new year, with the injuries including several losses of hands (one of them a 14-year old boy), loss of fingertips, facial injuries, burns, eye injuries.  Many of these injuries were to children under the age of 12.

We may be in luck though, where we live.  Due to the proliferation of thatched roofs in Wassenaar, fireworks are not permitted within 250m of such a roof.  With several thatched roofs on our road, it is good to know that we probably won't find our car to be a burnt our shell on new year's morning.