Fire Department Cautioning Fire Safety This Weekend

Sunday, 17 May 2015 08:45

Outdoor fires require a permit.

OXFORD COUNTY - For many people Victoria Day Weekend means two things; backyard fires and fireworks.

The Woodstock Fire Department is reminding all residents to be careful if they plan to have a fire or hold their own fireworks display.

Woodstock Fire Public Information Coordinator Lisa Woods has a few reminders to keep the long weekend safe for everyone. Woods said anyone who wants to have a backyard fire must have a permit first.

"There is a variation if you are cooking over the fire. But the problem is that you start your fire to get it warm before you cook on it, and then you leave it running after you have something to eat so then it falls under the open air burn by-law. So you do need a permit.”

“And it really is to keep people on the same page. It's free and it (permit) doesn't take long and we just want to make sure everyone is safe when they're doing it."

As for fireworks, Woods has several tips if you are launching them in your backyard:

- Make sure you appoint a responsible adult who understands the risks to handle all fireworks

- Put fireworks in a bucket of sand to launch

- Keep a hose or pail of water nearby

- Keep all fireworks well away from combustible materials (ie. buildings, trees, and dry grass)

- Onlookers should stay upwind from the launch

- Only set off one firework at a time

- Never try to relight a dud (wait 30 minutes and then submerge the dud in water)

- Never light a firework in your hand

- Make sure wind conditions are favourable (strong winds could blow a firework off course and end up on a neighbour's roof)

Woods also mentions that some traditions could pose potential hazards for children.

"Sparklers are a great thing for kids, but they can burn up to 648 degrees. So they're very hot and can ignite clothing. So we want to make sure you're very safe with the kids, and only responsible kids, not the very young ones.”

“If something does happen and someone does get burned we want to run that burn under cold water for 3 - 5 minutes and then seek medical attention if necessary."

Woods recommends going to a public display instead of launching fireworks from your own backyard. Public firework displays can be found on our events page at 1047.ca/events