The New Year's fireworks display caused an estimated €8 million in damages to homes and vehicles, according to insurance companies. This figure marks a significant decrease from last year,

almost halving the previous total and standing as the lowest in 15 years.

However, this €8 million estimate doesn't encompass medical expenses or damage incurred by company properties. The final tally remains uncertain and won't be confirmed until later in the year.

Insurers attribute the decline in damages to local fireworks prohibitions and designated firework-free zones, despite their widespread disregard. A total of 16 cities implemented bans on consumer fireworks, including Arnhem and Eindhoven, marking their inaugural inclusion.

Richard Weurding, head of the insurers association, suggested that adverse weather conditions might have contributed positively to this reduction in damages.

Moreover, incidents of fire damage were notably fewer. Stichting Salvage, an organization providing emergency aid to households post-fire, reported 88 call-outs on New Year's Eve, down from 105 during the previous year's period, according to the VvV.