Fireworks Safety Tips

Thursday, 29 June 2017 13:39

If you plan on celebrating with fireworks make sure to have a bucket of sand and a working fire extinguisher on hand.

WOODSTOCK - The Woodstock Fire Department is offering up a few tips to make sure everyone stays safe this Canada Day Weekend.

If you plan on celebrating with fireworks make sure to have a bucket of sand, supply of water and a working fire extinguisher on hand. Public Information Coordinator Lisa Woods tells Heart FM that Canada Day is the only day you can legally set off fire works in Woodstock this weekend.

"We know their will be some people in their backyards that will want to do their own fireworks, so we say keep a safe distance, keep 15 metres away from the actual fireworks going off, pick the most responsible person, we do it goes on at dusk, so you may or may not have a lot of people who are responsible at that time, I get that but pick somebody who is responsible."

She adds you need to be careful where you set off the fireworks, make sure to not do it around tree's as it could spark a fire and away from the home. Woods says if it's windy it is not a great idea to set off the fireworks as it could wind up in a neighbours yard or on their roof and spark a fire.

The OPP have also listed the following safety tips for anyone setting off fireworks on Canada Day.

Purchasing:

- Follow the laws and regulations regarding the use of fireworks.
- Purchase your fireworks from a reliable source that sells products meeting safety standards.
- Stay away from illegal explosives or firecrackers and do not improvise and make your own fireworks.

Setting Up:

- Read the instructions, cautions and warnings on each firework item.
- Store unused fireworks in a closed box away from the firework being lit and do not smoke around the fireworks.
- Set up outdoors in a clear, open space. Light fireworks on a hard, flat and level surface to insure stability.
- Check the wind and have the wind blowing away from the spectators.
- Spectators should be at least the safety distance written on the fireworks label away from the display, keeping special supervision on children.
- Have a bucket of sand, supply of water and a working fire extinguisher on hand.

Fireworks Show:

- Only adults (18 years or over) should handle the fireworks. If you are impaired (alcohol or drugs) do not handle the fireworks.
- Light only one firework item at a time.
- Wear protective eye glasses and gloves. Light at arm's length and and back.
- Never lean over the fireworks and keep hair and clothes away from fire sources.
- Never attempt to re-light a "dud" or defective firework.
- Never hold a lighted firework item in your hand.

Proper Disposal:

- Sparklers should be immersed in a bucket of sand to cool down after burning out, as they remain very hot for some time.
- Fireworks should be disposed of safely and properly.