Despite the ban, some Alsatians want to honor the tradition by buying firecrackers and fireworks in Germany."It's about celebrating New Year's Eve as it should be." Karim, an Alsatian, makes his last purchases before New Year's Eve in a store located on the other side of the border. Arms full, the man does not hide having bought pyrotechnic articles in Germany to honor the tradition. "Since very very young, 4 or 5 years, I've been used to it. That's why I'm here", explains the Alsatian. If he crossed the border, it is because in France, and more precisely in the two Alsatian departments, the purchase, sale and use of fireworks and pyrotechnic articles are prohibited until to January 3.Avoid controls... or cross the border A ban that some have decided to circumvent a few days before the holidays. Several of them got their supplies from this store in Kehl, a short hop from Strasbourg, as BFM Alsace was able to see. Their only fear: the controls on returning to France, put in place to deter bringing back the fireworks from Germany. This does not prevent some from getting organized to try to slip through the cracks. Antoine, he has his plan: "There is one who goes first, who sees if everything is fine. If it does not go through, we call the other", he reports. Another interviewee claims to hide his purchases, and "if they take them from me, I will come back tonight", he says. SOS Main mobilized Every year, in Alsace, and despite the ban, fireworks and firecrackers are fired everywhere as the New Year approaches. Shots that sometimes cause overflows, even injuries and mutilation of the hands. In Strasbourg, the SOS Main service within the Highstone hospital has doubled its staff for New Year's Eve and expects to receive the wounded. The service will also be open continuously throughout the night. Some years, up to 40 patients are welcomed by SOS Main at New Year's time, sometimes having up to 10 visits to the operating theater the same evening, for injuries that can leave irreversible lesions.