Bonfire Night seems to arrive earlier, and last longer, each year. There are two days to go until November 5, but fireworks have been banging and fizzing for some time already, and the din is likely to continue into next week.

Despite a tightening of legislation in recent years, restricting the availability and use of fireworks, it seems risks are still being taken, both with safety and the law.

Firework bangers were banned 14 years ago because of the nasty injuries and noise pollution they caused. But, whether it’s from the back of a van or an internet site, people continue to buy them.

Illegal bangers that could kill or seriously maim were recently found in Bradford being sold at £1 for a pack of ten, the Telegraph & Argus reported. Tony Downham, of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said the bangers found in Thornbury and Manningham were being sold in a small red tube which appeals to youngsters, and were illegally counterfeited using the Black Cat firework brand.

“Our main concern is that there is no production control on them. They lack warnings about being held, and they might explode in your hands,” said Mr Downham.

“In certain circumstances these bangers could kill. If they are powerful enough to blow someone’s fingers off, they could blow away internal organs if they’re in your pocket.”

Retailers can be fined £5,000 for selling illegal bangers, and importers face up to ten years in prison.

As the law stands, anyone under 18 can’t buy the types of fireworks which can be sold only to adults, or have fireworks in public places. If caught doing so, they can be handed an on-the-spot fine of £80.

It is also against the law to set off or throw fireworks in the street or other public places and set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except during certain celebrations.

Elizabeth Hellmich, co-ordinator of Bradford’s SAFE project promoting safety in the community, and a campaigner for tighter firework control, has warned that legislation can only be effective with extra enforcement on the ground to put it into practice. “It will be difficult to prosecute people throwing fireworks unless an officer actually sees it happen,” she said.

In the run-up to this weekend’s events, neighbourhood policing team officers are cracking down on anti-social behaviour associated with bonfires and fireworks, and enforcement officers are tackling fly-tipping and clearing rubbish, in a bid to prevent dangerous fires.

Bradford Council has teamed up with the police, fire service and social landlord Incommunities to address potential problems. Fire crews are visiting schools to talk about Bonfire Night dangers, and traders are being warned not to illegally dump rubbish on bonfires.

The PDSA has issued a safety guide to ensure pets stay safe when fireworks are going off. The veterinary charity warns that this weekend is likely to be one of the most distressing times of the year for animals in the UK.

“We know why there are lots of loud bangs outside but our pets don’t, which is very distressing for them,” says PDSA senior veterinary surgeon Sean Wensley. “Many pets have very acute hearing, so the range of sounds adding to their anxiety may be greater than we can appreciate.”

The charity’s advice includes making a pet den – behind a sofa or inside a wardrobe for dogs and on top of a cupboard for cats – and bringing outdoor pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs indoors, with extra bedding.

It’s worth checking your own protection too. At this time of year, when accident rates are high, we expect organisers of licensed events to be covered by appropriate public liability insurance.

But organisers of private parties should also consider accident prevention.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, approximately 1,000 people annually suffer firework-related injuries requiring emergency treatment on Bonfire Night.

James Buck, managing director of PublicLiabilityInsurance.

org, says: “Minimal amounts of accidents occur at professionally-organised gatherings, as event planners have the experience and know-how to assess risks and are largely aware of the importance of relevant liability cover, which provides a financial safety net against claims for damages to people and property.

“However, private home parties still leave a lot to be desired. People are caught out every year, due to a more haphazard approach to safety and to the liability insurance that backs them up if something does unfortunately go wrong.”