Fireworks are regulated as explosives, meaning it is a crime for anyone other than a licensed pyrotechnician to buy or use them in Victoria — whether in a public area or on private property.
WorkSafe executive health and safety director Sam Jenkin said last week’s tragic death of a teenager at Kalkallo illustrated how fireworks could be extremely dangerous in untrained hands.
“We continue to see serious incidents involving unauthorised fireworks every year, particularly over the summer period, and the few moments of entertainment they provide is simply not worth the potential catastrophic consequences,” Mr Jenkin said.
“The festive season is meant to be a time of joy and celebration, not to be putting yourself or your friends and family in danger or getting in trouble with the law and possibly facing stiff penalties.”
In 2024, WorkSafe destroyed 14,215 individual fireworks with a combined weight of more than 470kg, and has so far collected an additional 7962 individual fireworks that have been handed in or seized by Victoria Police.
Those caught illegally selling, buying or using fireworks in Victoria can face thousands of dollars in fines or even jail time under the Dangerous Goods Act.
Fire Rescue Victoria community safety Deputy Commissioner Joshua Fischer said each summer firefighters dealt with a seasonal increase in incidents caused by illegal fireworks.
“We want everyone to celebrate new year safely, and the risks to life and property that come from using fireworks illegally is simply not worth it,” Dep Comm Fischer said.
“The illegal use of fireworks is not only a danger to the people using them and those nearby — they could start a grass and scrub fire, destroy property and even cause a bushfire.”
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said fire crews responded to 50 incidents related to the unauthorised use of fireworks, firecrackers, flares and similar items across Victoria during the past financial year, with more than half resulting in a vegetation fire.
“These figures are a stark reminder of the dangers fireworks pose, particularly as we head into a summer of heightened fire risk,” Mr Heffernan said.
“With the fire activity we’ve already seen across the state, it’s more important than ever for people to remain vigilant and avoid behaviours that could spark fires.
“We’re asking anyone tempted to use fireworks illegally to think about the risks to their loved ones, neighbours and communities.”
According to Monash University’s Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit, 244 people presented at the state’s hospital emergency departments with fireworks-related injuries in the 10 years up to June 2023.
More than 80 per cent of fireworks-related hospital presentations in the past decade were males and almost a third of those injured required admission for further treatment.
The most common injuries suffered were burns (112), eye injuries (36) and open wounds (26).
Information about the sale or illegal use of fireworks can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or by submitting a confidential crime report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
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