‘Dangerous’: Victorian residents warned against use of illegal fireworks this NYE

Tens of thousands of illegal fireworks have been seized and destroyed in the lead-up to the new year, with Victorians warned to steer clear of the explosives a year after a teenager was fatally struck by a firework.

According to the Monash University’s Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit, there has been a steady decline in fireworks-related injuries in the state over the past 10 years.

Between the 2024 and 2025 new year period, there were nine illegal firework-related emergencies reported compared with 46 a decade earlier.

Despite this decrease in injuries, WorkSafe acting chief health and safety officer Adam Watson said illegal firework usage was still a serious risk.

“Every summer, we see a spike of serious incidents involving unlawful possession and use of fireworks, as people put property and loved ones at risk for a few moments of entertainment,” he said.

“Getting in trouble with the law, facing stiff penalties, and putting yourself or loved ones in danger of death or serious injury is no way to spend the festive season.”

The dire warning comes a year after a teenager was fatally struck by an explosive in Melbourne’s outer north.

The 19-year-old Whittlesea man sustained critical injuries after a firework exploded at a residential development area in Kalkallo about 9pm on Christmas Day last year.

He was declared dead at the scene.

Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner Community Safety Joshua Fischer said fireworks and explosives should not be handled by untrained members of the public.

“Christmas will never be the same for this young person’s family,” he said.

“We cannot stress enough – fireworks are dangerous and should only be handled by professionals.”

In the past year, Country Fire Victoria (CFA) responded to 76 incidents related to use of illegal explosives, including fireworks, firecrackers and flares.

Anyone caught illegally selling, buying or using fireworks and explosives may be slapped with thousands of dollars in fines or jail time.

Victoria Police also seized nearly 12,000 individual fireworks from the community, and 16,200 fireworks were destroyed by WorkSafe.

Specialist goods inspectors additionally seized more than 64,000 authorised fireworks displays from the state’s west that had been stored without a licence.

“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,” CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said.

“Safety is our No.1 priority and we want to keep our loved ones and broader communities safe during the new year celebrations.”