Screaming children running for cover, dogs carrying live fireworks in their mouths, men extinguishing fires with their thongs and explosions setting off car alarms; just a normal run of events on Territory Day.
A compilation of disastrous, expletive-laden home videos has been released by NT Police on social media as a warning ahead of Saturday's cracker night, the one time a year Territorians can legally blow things up.
Kids and adults alike scream and run for cover in the footage posted to Facebook, with some sage safety advice from Territory cops: "don't be stupid".
Some 336 tonnes of fireworks have been imported into the NT to be sold between 9am and 9pm on July 1 as locals mark the 39th anniversary of self-governance from the Commonwealth.
The proud tradition spans almost four decades, but authorities are urging people to be responsible to avoid any casualties as they celebrate.
In the 10 years to 2016, 197 people have gone to hospital with firework-related injuries including severe burns, lacerations, visual impairment, hearing loss and even broken bones.
Of these, more than half were children under 16 and the majority of injuries were avoidable, Centre for Disease Control Acting Director Dr Charles Douglas says.
"In more than one third of cases, bystanders who were not directly involved in the lighting of fireworks were injured," Dr Douglas said.
Royal Darwin Hospital Clinical Nurse Consultant Margaret Brennan says people must place any burns under cool running water for 20 minutes, wrap them in cling wrap and seek medical advice.
"Never use ice, butter or frozen peas," she said.
"Quick action is critical and can affect how long it takes for the skin to heal, the need for surgery and most importantly, the extent of the scarring."
While many Territorians enjoy being the only Australians still able to enjoy the privilege of letting off fireworks, punters are reminded they can only set them off between 6pm-11pm or risk a fine of more than $1200.
Thousands are expected to flock to Darwin's Mindil Beach to watch a public fireworks display on Saturday night with performances from Aussie acts Pete Murray and Killing Heidi.
Community fireworks events are also being held in 14 other locations across the Territory, with rock band Kingswood hitting the stage in Alice Springs.
Bushfires NT Executive Director Collene Bremner says the annual fireworks free-for-all will place heavy demands on volunteer crews, and rural landholders have been told to prepare their properties against the risk of wildfires.
"Territory Day is one of our busiest of the year and there's no guarantee we'll be able to respond to each and every call out if fires get out of control," she said.
Ms Bremner says firebreaks help save lives and failure to install one could result in a fine or imprisonment.
Darwin Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim says loud noises and bright lights on cracker night can be terrifying for suburban pets, which leads a large number to escape each year.
She says rangers will be on standby to help return lost animals, and any unregistered pets that aren't microchipped will be taken to the pound where owners will have a 24-hour grace period to collect them without incurring fees.
SAFETY WITH A BANG:
- Use a sand bucket or a flat, solid surface to stabilise fireworks and clear a five-metre radius;
- Never point, hold or throw lit fireworks and don't hold more than one lit sparkler at a time;
- Avoid wearing synthetic clothing, don't drink alcohol and supervise children at all times;
- Cool burns for 20 minutes under running water, cover them with cling wrap and call 000;
- Dud fireworks can still explode and maim - leave them for 15 minutes and then douse with water.
