"What we typically find is kids going off to play with fireworks, doing things they probably shouldn't be doing.
"Fireworks are made for a certain purpose and can be used safely. But the moment they fall into the wrong hands or people doing the wrong things with them, they can become quite a significant danger "
SPCA New Zealand CEO Ric Odom said the short sale period for private use fireworks did not stop people lighting fireworks for months after Guy Fawkes.
"People with pets have to be alert to the danger far beyond the 5th of November. There is only one solution in the SPCA's eyes and that is to ban firework sales to individuals and allow people to enjoy controlled public displays only."
Since the restricted sales period was introduced in 2007, fireworks-related callouts for firefighters dropped nationally from 653 fires in 2006 to 268 last year.
Online Fireworks operations manager Wayde Parnell ran 23 pop-up stores across Bay of Plenty and Waikato - up from just one on Hewletts Rd in 2012.
The stores opened for business yesterday and while sales were steady, they usually increased on November 4 and 5 as people did not want to miss out, Mr Parnell said.