Fireworks are on sale from today, prompting a reminder from emergency services about public safety.
Retailers are allowed to sell fireworks from today for four days leading up to Guy Fawkes Day on Friday.
Sales restrictions introduced in 2007 have been credited for a significant fall in damage to property and fireworks-related injuries.
The sales period was cut from 10 days, the age limit for buying fireworks was raised from 14 to 18 and sparklers had to be sold in packs with other fireworks.
Dunedin police emergency response manager Inspector Alastair Dickie said there was less fireworks-related disorder and property damage, but there were still incidents of stupidity, including people driving around throwing fireworks from cars.
As there were no public displays in Dunedin on Guy Fawkes weekend this year, more people would probably celebrate in their backyards, he said.
"Safety should be at the forefront of people's minds when using fireworks," he said.
"If people are being silly with fireworks, police will apply the full force of the law."
Fire Service assistant national commander Ian Pickard said fire communications centres in 2005 and 2006 took twice as many emergency calls as usual in the 10 days that fireworks were on sale.
Last year, the number of emergency calls during the four-day sale period was up by only 9%.
"Last year, we barely noticed a difference in our workload, so our crews are hoping for more of the same this year."
He believed fewer people were buying fireworks, preferring to enjoy public displays.
With none in Dunedin, more people could be setting off their own fireworks, Dunedin-based fire safety officer Barry Gibson said.
"One of our main concerns this year is that it is on a Friday night.
"We don't want alcohol and fireworks mixing."
There was every indication the public were taking heed of the safety warnings, but there was no room for complacency, he said.
People setting off fireworks should have a hose, or at least a bucket of water, close by.
Fireworks should be lit in a safe location, with children well away and where no sparks or embers could light ground cover, which was reasonably dry around the city.
People should not approach fireworks if they had not gone off, instead dousing them with water and leaving them wet.
"If people do have a problem, they must not hesitate to call 111."
