Setting off fireworks in prohibited areas becomes explosive issue

Setting off fireworks in prohibited areas becomes explosive issue

2026-01-05

Setting off fireworks is a joyful way to usher in the Lunar New Year but be careful just where you set them off. Fireworks are prohibited in port areas in Hsinchu as they could land near fishing boats full of fuel and cause an inferno at sea. You can also get fined from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000.

Fireworks are commonly used to celebrate both the Western and Lunar New Year but it’s important to be aware if they are permitted in your area. For example, fireworks are prohibited in Nanliao Fishing Port in Hsinchu, but some people still ignored the rules.

As a result, not only were fire trucks dispatched, but sanitation workers were also overwhelmed by the trash they had to pick up.

Sanitation worker
I’ve been picking up trash for almost an hour. It’s past midnight now.

Member of the public
If the northeasterly seasonal winds are blowing and fireworks are set off and land near boats, it could be a big problem, the whole row of boats could catch fire.

In previous years, people would flock to Nanliao Fishing Port to set off fireworks during New Year’s Eve and the Lunar New Year. However, during the 2024 New Year’s Eve celebrations, this resulted in three bush fires, keeping the fire department extremely busy. In fact, fireworks and firecrackers are prohibited in all fishing ports in Hsinchu, out of concern that entire rows of boats could erupt in flames.

Liao Wei-cheng
Hsinchu City Government
To prevent fishing boats fully loaded with fuel from catching fire and seriously endangering people’s safety and property, setting off fireworks and fire crackers is prohibited in port areas in accordance with the Fishing Port Act. Violators or their employers will be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000.

Welcoming in the New Year is certainly something to be happy about, but if you celebrate in the wrong place and in the wrong way, you might not only spoil the mood, but also face fines.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#Fireworks #Firesafety #Taiwaninfernos

滿載油料! 新竹南寮漁港"禁放煙火" 違者最高罰15萬

2026-01-05

新竹市的南寮漁港，過往跨年或是春節期間，不少人會闖進這裡放煙火，還曾經造成3起雜草火警，讓消防隊疲於奔命。事實上不只南寮漁港，新竹市所有漁港，都禁止放煙火、爆竹，因為怕把滿載燃油的漁船燒了，違規者可罰3萬至15萬。

迎接新的一年，放煙火幾乎成了常見的慶祝方式，但要注意，所處的位置到底能不能放，像是新竹南寮漁港，早已明令禁放煙火，偏偏就是有人當耳邊風。

結果不但消防車出動，清潔人員更是垃圾撿不完。

[[清潔人員]]
“撿快一個小時了，放到12點多”

[[民眾]]
“東北季風吹下去，煙火如果放下去，如果在船那邊就事情大條了，(燒起來)整排喔”

往年元旦跨年及農曆春節期間，都會有民眾跑到南寮漁港放煙火，2024年跨年，還因此造成三起雜草火警，讓消防隊疲於奔命。其實，新竹所有的漁港也都禁止放煙火及爆竹，就怕把整排漁船燒了。

[[新竹市產發處漁業科長廖偉成]]
“為了避免滿載燃油的漁船起火，嚴重影響人民生命財產的安全，依漁港法，港區全區禁止施放爆竹煙火，違規者處行為人，或其雇用人，3萬元以上15萬元以下罰鍰”

迎接新的一年，固然值得開心，但要是在不對的地點用錯慶祝方式，恐怕不但壞了興致，還得吃上罰則。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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After retiring from his performing career at the age of 60, one artist started a ranch in Taitung, which he passed down to his children. After working hard over three generations, the family turned the farm into a coffeehouse, specializing in extravagant brunches made with local ingredients. They also opened an exhibit in their grandfather’s memory, giving visitors a taste of Taiwanese showbusiness in the 1960s.

This colorful feast includes crispy golden fried fish sprinkled with pepper, caramelized oranges, and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

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It’s very hearty, and quite chewy when I bite into it.

They also serve an entire roasted chicken, with a golden, shiny skin that makes your mouth water. With its large, extravagant portions, this restaurant has attracted many customers.

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People online have been tagging this restaurant, so I came to try it on my day off.

This family business has a unique history. It was started by a Taiwanese comedic actor from the ’60s, Chen Ping-nan, known by the stage name Tuo Hsien, who started a ranch in Taitung when he retired. Now it is managed by the third generation, who revitalized the business by transforming it into a coffeehouse that specializes in extravagant brunches using local ingredients.

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Our vegetables are organically grown in Luye and our fish is from the Chenggong Fisherman’s Association. For fruits, we do our best to use fresh ones that are in season.

The third generation also opened an exhibit in honor of Tuo Hsien, giving visitors a glimpse into his artistic career and Taiwanese show business in the ’60s. They also cooperate with local farms to promote regional agricultural products.

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When picking ingredients, the first thing we consider is using local produce to support small farmers. Helping others benefits us too, and that’s our starting point.

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Now prices are rising. To enjoy such an extravagant brunch at a relatively cheap price, I think is a great deal.

Taitung offers a relaxing getaway surrounded by tall mountains and blue seas. Tourists here can even enjoy an extravagant brunch made with locally grown fruits and vegetables, for a real farm-to-table experience.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Tainan convenience store opens Taiwan’s first claw machine arcade

Seeking to capitalize on the booming claw machine market, a convenience store in Tainan’s Yongkang District has opened an arcade in a first for Taiwan. Besides your typical claw machines, it also has lots of licensed characters and blind boxes, as well as a racing and taiko drumming game. Now when customers come to pick up their essentials, they can also indulge in a game or two. In Kaohsiung, another store includes a coffee shop, supermarket, and laundromat, hoping to make life as convenient as possible for its customers.

When you go through this convenience store’s side door, it’s like entering a whole other world.

There are shelves upon shelves of beloved characters, including Pokémon, Pompompurin, Kuromi, Stitch, and the entire “Toy Story” collection. From movies to anime, every popular franchise is here.

They’re all blind boxes. Every single one.

It’s pretty good. You don’t have to go to one of those packed stores to get one.

On the other side are rows of claw machines with toys, snacks — even coffee cups you can exchange for a full one at the counter.

Not only that, but there are also racing and taiko drumming games, fun for people of all ages.

It’s pretty nice. Some kids will absolutely love it.

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It’ll get more people in the door. They’re selling more than just some stuff to eat.

Recognizing the value of the claw machine market, this chain opened arcades at stores in Tainan’s Yongkang District and Sanmin District in Kaohsiung—a first among convenience stores in Taiwan. The model encourages customers to stay a little longer. But it also gives the staff even more to do.

Customer
They have to make drinks, microwave food, run the register, retrieve packages, all that. Here, they also have to arrange the merchandise. It takes a bit more skill.

Not letting this chain steal the spotlight, another convenience store in Kaohsiung went for a three-in-one model. Within the massive 100-ping store, there’s a laundromat, supermarket, and café, serving three needs at once.

Customer
Places are so small these days, it’s hard to fit a dryer. So for this store to offer one right in a convenience store, it’s pretty good.

Convenience stores are no longer just convenience stores. Diversification is the name of the game, as they seek to make daily life and entertainment more convenient for its customers.

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Strangers help shield woman as she gives birth in post office

Sometimes new life comes into this world in the least expected places. Not a hospital in this case, but the lobby of a post office. A woman was running some errands a post office in Changhua when her water suddenly broke. Witnesses quickly called 119 and formed a human wall around her for privacy, as the paramedics helped deliver the baby. Mother and son are both healthy, and the story of this special kind of delivery is sure to live on.

A woman with a side bag suddenly grips her stomach while standing in a post office, apparently unwell. The person beside her noticed something was wrong and called 119. After 39 weeks, the woman’s water broke. By the time the paramedics arrived, the baby had already arrived. Fearing it would be dangerous to move them, they set up right there in the post office. Other visitors and postal workers formed a wall around her so she could give birth to a healthy baby boy in privacy.

Chiang Kun-ho
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The baby had likely already arrived while the woman was standing, emerging near the bottom of her pants. Paramedics immediately administered care for the newborn, whose vital signs were all stable.

This was at the Zhongzheng Road post office in Changhua’s Yuanlin City. The 24-year-old went to run some errands at the post office when her water suddenly broke. Fortunately, everyone there rushed to lend a hand, working together to deliver the special package.

Chen Le-ming
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We stayed put. The staff and patrons circled around her, allowing the paramedics to administer treatment. We also gifted a pair of postal dolls to show that this baby is a child born in the post office.

A normal errand run became the biggest day of this woman’s life, leaving a heartwarming story for the community and once again showing the kindness of Taiwan’s people.

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Taiwanese star Gin Oy offers tips to stay warm in Japanese winter

It’s getting into the peak period for the winter tourism season in snowy Japan and many people are preparing to go there. However, Gin Oy, a Taiwanese actress who has lived in Japan for several years, warns that the Taiwanese habit of bundling up against the cold with layers and layers of clothing is not suitable in Japan as indoor spaces are heated. She even says if you do this, you might get heatstroke if you go indoors. Instead, wear less layers with a few well-chosen pieces. Let’s find out more.

With the peak period in Japan’s winter tourism season approaching, many people are preparing to travel, often packing piles of heavy clothing to bundle themselves up with layers. However, Taiwanese actress Gin Oy, who has lived in Japan for seven years, advises that if visiting Tokyo, unless your itinerary involves being entirely outdoors, avoid wearing layered clothing or thermal underwear, as this can easily lead to heatstroke indoors.

Lin Yung-chi
FTV reporter
If you want to stay warm, look at this: a thermal top, a thick sweater, a thick coat, and a scarf. This is the layering that Taiwanese people are very used to. But in Japan during winter, it is not recommended at all. You only need a thick coat and some simple warm clothes.

Two layers are enough as indoor spaces and trains in Japan are heated. Wearing too many layers will only make you sweat everywhere. Many people recommend wearing a regular long-sleeved top or thin thermal top, plus a long warm coat. If you are afraid of getting cold, you can also wear a vest. Compared with Taiwan’s style of bundling on layers, this can keep you just as warm without having to keep putting on and taking off layers of clothing.

Member of the public
The biggest difference between Japan and Taiwan is that Japan has indoor heating, so you don’t need to wear too many layers. Basic warmth is still necessary, such as a beanie, earmuff, a mask, and a scarf.

In addition, because Japan is dry and cold, it’s best to wear a mask as much as possible, as it increases humidity around the mouth and helps protect against viruses. As for playing in the snow, don’t ever wear jeans. Instead, wear thick fleece-lined pants, or tights with a cotton skirt, and be sure to wear gloves, a scarf and a beanie.

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Actually, when you go to a dry and cold place like Japan, you can be quite comfortable as long as you wear a thermal undershirt underneath and a down jacket or overcoat on top.

By following this advice, you don’t need to dress like a zongzi when travelling to Japan. And you won’t only stay warm, you’ll also be able to take flattering selfies too.

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Smoking battery at Taoyuan airport put out before incident, but raises concern

People were given a fright recently at Taoyuan International Airport’s Terminal 1, when a passenger’s side bag started emitting smoke. Emergency responders carefully took everything out one by one and submerged the bag in water. It ended up being a lithium battery, which caused minor burns to the owner’s hand.

A black side bag lies on the ground, smoke coming from inside. And this was in the busy Terminal 1 at the Taoyuan airport!

My God!

Witnesses gasped in shock. This passenger in a black jacket arrived to board a flight past 10 in the evening when smoke started rising from his bag.

An airport police officer got tongs to carefully pull everything out one at a time. They then handed it over to a firefighter.

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Wearing full protective gear, the firefighter handles the bag as it’s still smoking. They eventually put the entire thing into a bucket of water to bring down the temperature, averting crisis.

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A lithium battery in a departing passenger’s shoulder bag spontaneously combusted for unknown reasons. Upon discovery, the scene was immediately closed off to protect the public and airport security. The passenger surnamed Hsu許 sustained minor burns to his left hand. After receiving treatment at Landseed Hospital, he was released without serious injury.

Although airport operations weren’t affected, frequent reports of battery-related incidents have left passengers feeling worried.

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The chemist advised people to make sure that your power banks and batteries meet safety standards to avoid any safety risks.

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A shocking scene of violence erupted last Sunday evening during an inline hockey match in New Taipei. During the final game, a 28-year-old player was seen punching the head of his 15-year-old opponent while they chased after the puck. The victim ended up with blunt trauma to the head and mild concussion. More appallingly, the aggressor once played on the national team. He was since banned from participating in any competition for life.

The hockey players are all chasing after the puck, when all of a sudden, someone on the black team falls. It looks like he got pushed by an opponent, who also fell, but the physical altercation doesn’t end there.

The player on the white team appears to have lost his temper, and whacks the head of his opponent five times. Everyone freezes in astonishment not knowing how to react. The referee steps in, but the aggressor keeps hurling insults.

Voice of witness
Watched the hockey game
The white team was more skillful than the black team, but that didn’t stop their player from hurling insults at the beaten player, who couldn’t get up for five minutes.

The white team players were all grownup men, and they led the game by two points against their opponents, who were mostly middleschoolers. Worse, the aggressor, a 28-year-old surnamed Huang, once played for the national team. It’s unbelievable that someone like him would even attack a 15-year-old.

Voice of witness
Watched the hockey game
It’s fair that everyone’s competing with one another, but was physical violence really necessary?

The injured player fell instantly at the impact and couldn’t get up for five minutes. After he was taken to hospital, he was found with blunt trauma in the head area and a mild concussion.

Huang Jean-ping
Taoyuan City Councilor (KMT)
I hope that the organizer and its associations will heavily penalize this instance of violence and heavily penalize the player that hit another.

Though the aggressor was once on the national team, it’s fair to say that he has no sense of sportsmanship. The victim’s father was left furious and vowed to take legal action. Taipei’s sports department has also banned Huang from participating in any competition for life.

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