Brian Nosworthy, director of Sinister Fireworks in Wagga, said home fireworks accidents are all too common around the holiday period.

“Every year around Christmas and New Year's there's always a backyard firework fatality or a severe injury – probably two or three a year,” Mr Nosworthy said.

“Obviously they're an explosive device, so it doesn't matter how small or how large they are, they can potentially cause a fatality or severe injury.”

Two men were killed using illegal fireworks during last year’s New Year’s celebrations, while others around Australia sustained serious injuries to the eyes, face, hands, and legs.

While it is possible to obtain a permit to operate certain types of fireworks in NSW, Mr Nosworthy said most do-it-yourself fireworks users are accessing the explosives illegally on the black market.

“We find that, with a lot of the black market stuff, some operators are selling product that's leftover from one of their own displays or product that's out of date, so they stick it on the internet or sell it out the back of their boot,” he said.

“They’ll be potentially defective of faulty, and that's where people come unstuck, because they'll generally be lighting them with a cigarette lighter and they've got their hands or their body over the top of the firework, which can burn quite quick.”

Police have confirmed there will be consequences for Riverina residents caught with illegal fireworks during this weekend’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Tumut duty officer Steve Radford said there’s a reason fireworks are illegal.

“We will be targeting persons with fireworks here,” Inspector Radford said.

“Anyone caught will receive an infringement notice.”

In NSW, that infringement notice can come with a fine of up to $27,500 and 12 months’ imprisonment as well.

The push to ban the sale of fireworks nationwide in 1972 was led by Wagga’s own Wal Fife, the former state member for Wagga and federal Member for Farrer, who passed away last month.