NT Fire and Emergency Services (NTFES) is urging Territorians to celebrate Territory Day responsibly.
While 1 July is a time for celebration, fireworks can pose serious risks. Taking a few simple precautions can help protect your property, your community, and the environment:
· cleaning leaves and debris from gutters
· wetting down your lawn and garden beds
· clearing flammable materials from around your home and sheds
· set of your fireworks in a clear area away from flammable material and structures
· ensuring used fireworks are completely cool before throwing them away
· safely disposing of unused fireworks by returning them to licensed retailers or contacting NT WorkSafe.
Authorities can issue on the spot fines if fireworks are used in a way that could damage property or endanger people or animals. Fines will also apply for the possession of fireworks after midday on Wednesday, 2 July 2025.
Call 000 for emergencies or 131 444 to report illegal or suspicious activities.
For updates, visit the NT Fire Incident Map and follow NT Fire and Rescue Service, SecureNT, and Bushfires NT on Facebook.
On 2 July, unused fireworks can be handed into NT Worksafe offices or surrendered to remote Police Stations.
Quotes attributable to Chief Fire Officer Stephen Sewell AFSM:
"Only buy fireworks from licensed retailers, and make sure to read and follow the safety instructions on each one and never hold fireworks in your hand."
"This is the busiest night for our firefighters, and we anticipate high demand on our services. Last year NTFRS responded to 241 incidents, including 151 wildfires. Many of these were bin fires caused by people placing hot, used fireworks in bins, so it is important to ensure your fireworks are fully extinguished before disposing of them."
Quotes attributable to Executive Director Bushfires NT, Jacqui Forrest:
"Bushfires NT is also preparing for their busiest night of the year in the rural areas with staff and volunteer brigades on standby."
"We ask rural residents to ensure they light their fireworks in a clear area away from flammable material and structures."
Quotes attributable to St John NT Director Ambulance services Andrew Thomas:
"We want everyone to have a great night, but no one should spend it in the back of an ambulance."
"Fireworks are not toys, they're explosives. Don't ever point or shoot them at other people. We've seen serious injuries from people treating them like party tricks."
"Every year our emergency departments receive patients with various injuries, ranging from burns, fractures, eye trauma to burst ear drums and foreign body injuries."
Quotes attributable to Dr Bhushan Joshi, Emergency Specialist Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital:
"Ensure children are kept at a safe distance and never allowed to handle fireworks. Every year children are disproportionately affected in Territory Day injuries. If you or someone you know gets injured, ensure the area is safe, call for help, check they are breathing and have a pulse."
"For burns injuries, run the affected area under running cold water for 20 minutes. Remain calm and call for an ambulance, or if safe to do so, drive to a hospital. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable cracker day, and that we don't need to see you in the emergency department."
Photo caption: Chief Fire Officer Stephen Sewell AFSM, RDH Emergency Specialist Dr Bhushan Joshi, Executive Director Bushfires NT Jacqui Forrest, St John NT Director Ambulance Services Andrew Thomas, Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer Strategy and Policy Ian Lockley and Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer Operations Eric Kooman.
