Take care this Guy Fawkes

Fire services are urging safety during this year's Guy Fawkes celebrations. Photo / Warren Buckland

With Guy Fawkes on Thursday, fire services are sending out a reminder to use caution when using fireworks.

Kiwis could set alight more than 500 tonnes of fireworks over the next week and fire services are hopeful for continued improvements with fireworks-related calls having dropped by almost 60 per cent over the past decade.

The Hawke's Bay Fire Service had five call-outs last year on Guy Fawke's day.

Some of the incidents - where fires had ignited houses, garages, trees, rubbish and almost a block of shops - could have ended a lot more seriously.

Hawke's Bay Fire Service area commander Chris Nicoll said he was aware of just two displays for which authority had been sought, Saturday's Blast in the Park and this weekend's Meeanee Speedway display.

Mr Nicoll said people have become more educated on the dangers of fireworks.

"We have certainly seen a reduction in accidents which we hope continues."

He said with the storage and use of fireworks "commonsense is the first step".

Users should make sure fireworks aren't all stored in one box and that hoses are at the ready in case of any potential mishaps.

Fireworks sales since 2007 have been limited by law to four days up to Guy Fawkes Day, and they cannot be sold to people aged under 18 years.

Specially approved conditions are needed for the holding of over a tonne of fireworks, which impacts on the quantities able to be held by retailers, and the placing of fireworks on sale to the public can only be done with the fireworks in approved retail packages.

Families turned out in droves for Havelock North Primary School's annual fiery fundraiser Blast in the Park on Saturday.

Local bands entertained until dark while children had competitions and prizes to keep them occupied.

Crowds then enjoyed the spectacular fireworks display.

A police spokesman said behaviour was excellent at the event and no safety concerns were raised.