Safe use of shopgoods fireworks

Purchase of fireworks

In the Northern Territory the public may purchase shopgoods fireworks on the 1st of July each year between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm for Territory Day Celebrations. Persons of 18 years of age and over may buy shopgoods fireworks at these times.

Use of fireworks

Shopgoods fireworks may only be ignited on the 1st of July each year between 6:00 pm and 11:00 pm. The instructions supplied with the fireworks must be read and followed.

The type of fireworks should be considered when choosing a place to use them – e.g. fireworks that shoot flaming balls out should not be used in a small yard or near trees.

The preferred method of lighting shopgoods fireworks is with ordinary matches. Incense/joss sticks or gas cigarette lighters may become too hot for safe use.

Clothing that is not easily flammable should be worn by those lighting shopgoods fireworks. It is also recommended that eye protection such as sunglasses (during daylight hours) or safety glasses be worn.

The fuse of most shopgoods fireworks should take between 5 and 10 seconds to ignite the firework.

Misfires (duds) should be left alone for a few minutes in case the fuse is still burning slowly. They should be picked up wearing leather gloves and safety glasses and then soaked in a bucket of water overnight before disposing of them.

Storage

Shopgoods fireworks should be kept in a closed container such as a wooden box, solid sided plastic container with lid or strong cardboard carton. Shopgoods fireworks must not be kept near other dangerous goods eg. petrol, ammunition, pool chemicals etc. Matches or lighters should not be stored in the same box as shopgoods fireworks.

Children should not have access to shopgoods fireworks during storage, and should not ignite fireworks unless closely supervised.

Apart from the shopgoods fireworks taken out of their box in readiness for use, all other shopgoods fireworks should be kept in their closed container a safe distance from the point of ignition. Do not keep shopgoods fireworks in the pockets of your clothing as this has resulted in serious injuries.

Contact us

For further information please contact us on 1800 019 115, via email at ntworksafe@nt.gov.au or go to the NT WorkSafe website at www.worksafe.nt.gov.au.