No New Year's Eve celebration would be complete without the beauty (and spectacular explosiveness) of fireworks, and the Amsterdam city government fortunately agrees.

However, in the Netherlands great pains are taken to ensure that fireworks are used safely. Several regulations apply, and police will arrest those who are caught violating the rules.

Each year on three days leading up the NYE it is possible to legally purchase fireworks in the Netherlands. This year, one can only legally purchase fireworks on the 28th, 29th, and 31st of December (since the 30th falls on a Sunday this year it is excluded). One must be 16 years or older to purchase fireworks.

Fireworks can only be lit off from 10pm on December 31 until 2am on January 1. It is not permitted to light fireworks in the immediate vicinity of zoos, petting zoos, animal shelters, or stables.

Furthermore, the municipality of Amsterdam advises those using fireworks to exercise caution, especially around large groups of people, and to listen to emergency personnel and police officers if something goes wrong.

Punishment for violating fireworks rules often includes community service, but may be more severe depending on the violation, one's age, and whether or not one has been in trouble before.

In Amsterdam, you can legally purchase fireworks at 25 stores located around the city, ranging from party supply stores to hardware stores. You can find the full list of shops here.