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Experts from the Medical Center - University of Freiburg provide tips for a responsible turn of the year 2026

Fireworks are part of the New Year for many people. On New Year's Eve 2025, experts from the Medical Center - University of Freiburg are calling on people to handle firecrackers and rockets responsibly. Every year, carelessness, alcohol or the use of unsuitable fireworks lead to serious injuries to hands, ears and eyes. Many of these accidents are preventable. Responsible behavior protects patients from permanent damage and at the same time relieves the burden on emergency rooms on New Year's Eve.

"Injuries to the hands are among the most common accidents around New Year's Eve," says PD Dr. Ferdinand Wagner, Head of the Traumatology Section at the Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "Exploding fireworks can cause massive damage to bones, tendons and soft tissue."

Even with modern reconstructive surgery, the consequences of such an injury cannot always be completely repaired. "Permanent restrictions in gripping are not uncommon. The most important rule is therefore: never hold fireworks in your hand and never use homemade or manipulated fireworks," says Prof. Dr. Steffen Eisenhardt, Medical Director of the Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg.

Loud bang, long-term consequences

Exploding firecrackers can cause permanent damage to hearing. "Even a single very loud bang in close proximity can injure the inner ear," explains Prof. Dr. Andreas Knopf, Medical Director of the Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "Typical consequences are ringing in the ears, dizziness or persistent hearing loss. Maintaining sufficient distance and wearing simple hearing protection can help to significantly reduce these risks."

Eyes are also at risk on New Year's Eve - even for people who don't set off their own fireworks. "We regularly see patients who are injured by sparks or splinters as spectators," says Prof. Dr. Thomas Reinhard, Medical Director of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg's Department of Ophthalmology. "Even small foreign bodies can seriously damage the eye. Keeping your distance is therefore also crucial for bystanders."

The emergency rooms and medical on-call services at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg are staffed around the clock at the turn of the year.

Contact:

Eye emergency practice
in the Eye Center
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Killianstraße 5
Registration main floor
Phone: 0761 270-40010

ENT Outpatient Clinic
in the Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Killianstraße 5
Registration main floor
Phone: 0761 270-42010

University Emergency Center
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Sir-Hans-A.-Krebs-Straße
Registration first floor
Phone: 0761 270-33333