Stand clear: Fireworks go on sale today

Soung Yueen owner Neville Fong expects Magnolia candles to be favourites again this year. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Up at Hobson St's Asian stores, Soung Yueen and Wah Lee, the shelves are stocked and waiting for the start of the annual running of the fireworks fans today.

The phone has been ringing hot with people checking that their favourites are in stock.

Neville Fong, the owner of Soung Yueen, which also distributes fireworks nationwide, said Vulcan Magnolia candles were likely to be the hot favourites again this year, "because they go so high - higher than rockets".

Last year, both Wah Lee and Soung Yueen sold out early in the piece.

New to Soung Yueen this year is Blue Me Away, described on the packet as "for blues lovers, this fountain is rich with all kinds of crackle effects, loads of little blue stars".

Just to give the SPCA even more to worry about, there's Fish in Water, which "shoots up red and green comet with gold and silver fish in the sky".

Also new is Medieval Delight, "safe and sane", and for candle fanatics, there is the new Shogun Power Candle series.

Angela Fong said National Salute was the loudest, Wheel of Fortune the longest-lasting and the 71cm sparklers "the biggest on the market".

Over the road, Barry Wah Lee has a strong aesthetic sense: he likes artistic fireworks such as Dragon's Pearl, "which is like a sculpture ... three dragons on a spindle with a golden orb above them".

Wah Lee's new stock includes "Movies", which spin round in a box with cut-outs to make pictures.

"But it's not quite so powerful as that Batman light that shines on the sky in that movie."

Mr Wah Lee said old favourite Magic Shots were usually popular, "which is funny because they're not so powerful".

"I remember last year ... someone lit some Magic Shots in One Tree Hill," he said.

"They didn't wake anyone up because they're quiet, but it was so beautiful, those colours in the middle of suburbia."

The upside of the ban on skyrockets and bangers is that there is more room in the container for different types of fireworks.

But safety rules have put out of contention those fireworks that taught you to be quick on your feet.

"A few years ago there was one which shot out bangers and you would want to know where that was coming from. You'd have to get out of the way pretty quickly. But they don't allow that one any more."

This year the Environmental Risk Management Authority says 1700 tonnes of fireworks have been imported for sale, a 50 per cent increase on last year.

The Fire Service has joined the SPCA in calling for a ban on all firework sales to the public.

Chief Fire Officer Paul Baxter said a survey of 1000 people aged over 15 showed 54 per cent of New Zealanders thought fireworks should not be sold over the counter.

The poll also showed 82 per cent wanted the age limit raised from 14 to at least 16.

Mr Baxter said the number of fires caused by fireworks had tripled over the past four years. Last year fireworks were blamed for 350 reported fires.

He said fireworks should be restricted to public displays only because the days leading up to Guy Fawkes caused as many problems as the day itself.

Mr Baxter recommended that people choose public firework events, rather than backyard displays, and warned that even the seemingly innocuous sparkler burns at more than 700C.

Fireworks can only be sold between October 27 and November 5 each year.

The top shots...and firework safety hints

* Choose a safe, open space.

* Store fireworks in a closed box away from heat and flames, and out of the reach of children. Do not carry them in pockets.

* Children should be supervised by adults.

* Read and follow the instructions.

* Place fireworks firmly in dirt or sand, or on a flat, level surface. Light at arm's length.

* Don't go near fireworks that have been lit but fail to go off.

* Keep animals indoors.

* Keep water nearby.

Blue me away

For blues lovers, rich with all kinds of crackle effects and loads of little blue stars. Costs $10.

Rise of Dragon

Ejects a flurry of glitter comets with tails bursting into titanium flowers and silver whirls. $9.

Devil Crash

Fires green stars with white glitter, and whistles and crackles. $6.

Magnolia Candles

Likely to be the hot favourites again this year, "because they go so high - higher than rockets". $4-$5.50 each.