December 30, Warden Message: New Year’s Celebratory Gunfire

As the New Year is approaching, the U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens to exercise caution when outside over the holiday period.

Fireworks are used frequently throughout Kosovo, particularly over the holidays.  Celebratory gunfire is also common and normally increases significantly during the holidays, typically reaching its peak at midnight on December 31/January 1.  The laws of physics are absolute:  what goes up must come down.  People have been killed or injured by stray bullets from celebratory gunfire.  The U.S. Embassy Pristina strongly advises U.S. citizens to remain indoors to watch fireworks, especially on New Year’s Eve, and avoid large crowds where individuals are engaged in celebratory gunfire.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review ”A Safe Trip Abroad,” which can be found on the Department’s Consular Affairs website and includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad.  In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

We encourage U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.  U.S. Embassy Pristina is located at 30 Nazim Hikmet St. in the Arberia/Dragodan area of Pristina. The telephone number is (381) 38-5959-3000.  You may also contact the consular section of Embassy Pristina via e-mail.  U.S. Embassy Skopje is located at Samilova 21, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia.  The Embassy can also be reached via telephone (389) (2) 310-2000, and via the consular section’s e-mail.