Fireworks Stay Safe, Stay Legal

So the whizzes and the bangs have started and are driving me crazy. Don't get me wrong I love fireworks but has the recently implemented Fireworks Act 2003 helped at all? Personally I don't see much difference - rather than fireworks going off the weekend of Bonfire Night it happens weeks beforehand, plus you still have to be wary of kids throwing them at cars in some areas.

The Fireworks Act 2003 set limited periods for fireworks to be sold and let off. It is an offence to let off fireworks during the hours of 11pm-7am except on certain days:
- Bonfire Night - period extended to midnight
- Diwali, New Years Eve, Chinese New Year - period extended to 1am

The Fireworks Act 2003 also made it a requirement that shops wanting to sell fireworks throughout the year obtain a license to do so. Otherwise fireworks can only be sold:
- 1st day of Chinese New Year and 3 days prior
- Diwali and 3 days prior
- 15th October to 10th November
- 26th December to 31st December

And finally a few other things you may not know about Fireworks Legislation:
1. It is against the law for persons under the age of 18 to carry fireworks in public (this excludes sparklers)- Fireworks Act 2003
2. It is against the law to throw or set off fireworks in the street or public place - this offence carries a fine of up to £5000 or an on the spot fine of £80 - s80 Explosives Act 1875
3. Fireworks must not be sold to anyone under the age of 18
4. Many pets become scared when fireworks are let off, it is an offence under s1 Protection of Animals Act 1911 to cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic/captive animal - anyone found guilty is liable for a fine of up to £5000 and/or 6 months imprisonment

I wouldn't like to go to the extremes of people not having their own private displays but every year we hear stories about firework related accidents/stupidity.
Here are just a few BBC News links from today:
Baby escapes home firework blast
Pupils injured in firework attack

The Oxfordshire fire chief suggests that the law should be changed to make it illegal for individuals to buy fireworks. I think this is going to far but what is a happy medium and how can we stop the illegal sale of fireworks?