Mayor Hein van der Loo does not expect Almere to be entirely quiet during the coming New Year’s Eve. Since 1 August, a national ban on consumer fireworks has applied under the Safe Change Act. Associations and foundations may receive permission to set off fireworks under strict conditions, but most municipalities in Flevoland do not intend to use that option. Van der Loo also does not plan to grant exemptions in the coming year, saying the aim is a safe New Year without casualties. The mayor said the limited preparation time played a role: the precise consequences of the law did not become clear until 1 August. He described the change from fireworks to no fireworks as a cultural shift that would take time.