Carlos Rodriguez, 34, suffered extensive head injuries and died in hospital after a firecracker exploded in his face in the backyard of a house on January 1.

Under Victorian law it is an offence to display fireworks without a licence or to sell, possess or discharge prohibited fireworks.

People caught with illegal fireworks face harsh penalties, including large fines or jail.

Western suburbs pyrotechnician Frank Skrvic said there should be greater governance over the sale of illegal fireworks.

"I don't think everyone is looking into the problem thoroughly enough. It's too easy for people to get licences [to handle fireworks]."

Mr Skrvic said the real danger was that people could easily buy larger, more powerful fireworks than those used 30 years ago.

"I think the police should govern it better. Sometimes the fireworks go off for half an hour, they should be there straight away," he said.

But Bacchus Marsh senior sergeant Glenn Saw said it was extremely difficult to pinpoint the location of explosives.

"They're let off in a second and go metres into the air, so it's very difficult to enforce," he said.

Senior Sergeant Saw said the biggest threat posed by pyrotechnics was that of serious injury.

"It's always a worry, especially on New Year's Eve when you're mixing kids, alcohol and explosives," he said.

"They're not safe; there's a reason they were outlawed, because of exactly what happened to the man in Tarneit. The bottom line is explosives are dangerous."

CFA deputy chief officer Alan Ellis said illegal fireworks caused major headaches for fire services.

"Illegal fireworks have the potential to start fires, particularly in warmer weather."