BERLIN – Feeling the suffering of Syrian refugees who fled exploding war, a German town has banned the sale of fireworks to refugees in a bid to avoid traumatizing people who fled war zones.

The town of Arnsberg in North Rhine-Westphalia recommended that townspeople consider not launching any fireworks “to avoid reawakening memories in people who have fled war and conflict of the horrors that threatened them,” a spokesman told the Neue Westfaelische daily, Reuters reported on December 29.

It also issued directives in several languages banning the sale of rockets and firecrackers to residents of refugee shelters

The fireworks are usually used in German towns on December 31 at midnight to welcome the start of the new year.

The traditional, spectacular show at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate is broadcast live on television.

Last year, Germans spent 120 million euros ($130 million) on New Year’s Eve fireworks, according to the pyrotechnics industry.

However, “people who come from a war zone connect loud bangs more with shots and bombs than with New Year’s Eve fireworks,” the spokesman was quoted as saying.

In light of Germany’s unprecedented influx of refugees in recent months, many local authorities, psychotherapists and refugee help organizations have called on the German population to show consideration to their new neighbors, over concerns that the loud explosions could be traumatic and trigger flashbacks.

According to a report published by the Federal Psychotherapy Chamber (BPtK) in September, 40 to 50 percent of refugees in Germany suffer from post-traumatic stress or depression.