TRANSCRIPT
The use of fireworks by the public is banned or severely limited across Australia.
Only Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT allow some exceptions - and even then, there are strict rules about who buys them and when and how they're used.
Yet despite these controls, the summer months between December and February see a spike in injuries related to the illegal use of fireworks.
Narelle Beer is the Executive Director of Health and Safety at WorkSafe Victoria.
She's concerned people are not getting the message that fireworks can cause serious harm.
“It's deeply concerning to see the number of people seeking emergency treatment for fireworks-related injuries is again rising, for the first time in a number of years. In the wrong hands, fireworks are potentially deadly, and those caught using them illegally face possible heavy fines, or even imprisonment.”
This past financial year saw 23 people presenting at emergency departments in Victoria with injuries from fireworks - up from 16 in the previous year.
And the highest risk group is young men.
That's according to the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit at Monash University, which says 191 people have been treated for injuries related to fireworks since 2015.
Four out of five of those injured were male, and almost a quarter were aged between 20 and 24.
The most common injury was burns (87 cases), followed by eye injuries (30) and open wounds (20).
Gavin Rooney is Acting Deputy Commissioner of Community Safety with Fire Rescue Victoria.
“Injuries are dealt with usually by the ambulance service, but we attend along with the ambulance service on many occasions and unfortunately we see all manner of different types of injuries - everything from impact injuries of exploding fireworks to burns and the like, and so it's quite wide-ranging. Obviously if buildings are subsequently involved in a fire then it can lead to some really significant injuries or potential fatalities.”
Fireworks contain a chemical rich in oxygen that reacts with a fuel.
The heat generated by that reaction is what makes the colour, spark and noise - and because it's already oxygen-rich, air is not required to sustain the reaction.
According to the Queensland government, that's what makes fireworks particularly difficult to extinguish in a firefighting situation.
And with many parts of the country already on high alert for bushfires this summer, it puts extra strain on emergency services.
Alen Slijepcevic is Deputy Chief Officer with the Country Fire Authority Victoria.
“Fireworks that people are purchasing illegally can also start fires, both in a - structural fires and grassfires, bushfires as well. And last year for example, the CFA firefighters were called to 27 fires across the state caused by illegal fireworks.”
He says people in emergency services want to enjoy the holiday period, just like everybody else.
“Every time people use illegal fireworks, it actually drags our volunteers - CFA volunteers - from their families, to respond to those events as well. So we plead (to) people not to do it.”
Mr Rooney says it's best to leave fireworks to the professionals.
“The only people who should be utilising fireworks are licensed pyrotechnicians, and even they need a fire permit during the danger period, which runs through the summer months.”
Mr Slijepcevic reminds people there are legal ways to enjoy fireworks.
“There are plenty of fantastic fireworks for people to see on TV. From Melbourne, from Sydney, from any other major city in the world. People can still enjoy in seeing it, without endangering themselves and the people around them.”
A million people are expected to flock to Sydney Harbour this year to watch the fireworks - one of the first events broadcast around the world.
In Melbourne, more than 460,000 people are predicted to attend the New Year's Eve display.
While the full details of the shows will be revealed on the night, they're sure to be a safer - and more spectacular - option than backyard explosives.
