A prominent German television presenter has launched a campaign for stricter fireworks regulations after a horrific accident at her home left her blind in one eye.
A New Year's Celebration Turns to Tragedy
Andrea Plewig, the 55-year-old host of the entertainment show Astro Royal, was celebrating the New Year when a firework she ignited malfunctioned catastrophically. The presenter, who had recently completed chemotherapy for breast cancer, described taking careful precautions, including preparing fuses and keeping children at a safe distance.
Despite her care, a rocket launched prematurely and struck her directly in the eye. "I collapsed in agony," Plewig recounted. Rushed to hospital by ambulance, doctors were unable to save her injured left eye, which had to be removed.
Campaigning for Change in the Wake of Personal Ordeal
Following the life-altering injury, Plewig is now a vocal advocate for tighter controls on fireworks available to the public. She supports initiatives like "No To Fireworks" and believes pyrotechnics should be banned for private use, describing them as inherently dangerous.
"There are unforeseen consequences, not just for us humans, but also for nature, for animals," she stated, highlighting the broader impact of fireworks.
UK Fireworks Campaign Gains Momentum
In the United Kingdom, the movement for stricter fireworks laws is already well-established. It is backed by major organisations including The Firework Campaign UK, the RSPCA, and Help for Heroes.
Campaigners are pushing for a suite of reforms to minimise harm, which include:
- A ban on sales to the general public.
- Legally enforced lower noise levels.
- Restricting displays to licensed, organised public events.
This call for action is reflected in significant public support, with around 200 active petitions in the UK alone, some gathering up to 190,000 signatures.
Plewig's close friend and fellow presenter, Vera Int-Veen, 58, expressed profound shock at the accident. Their circle of friends, who had supported Plewig through her cancer treatment, are now rallying around her again.
While Plewig has recently received the all-clear from cancer, she still faces further surgery. Her personal tragedy has now become a powerful catalyst for her campaign, underscoring the severe and often overlooked risks associated with domestic use of fireworks.
