THUNDER BAY – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has a Canada Day Fireworks safety reminder. Your safety and the safety of others around you must be priority number one when handling fireworks.
As we approach the Canada Day long weekend the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend an exhibition fireworks show handled by professionals. One such amazing display will be held in Goderich on Sunday, June 30, 2019. These displays are planned for and overseen by a trained, certified professional. If you choose to hold a family fireworks show with “common fireworks” sold to consumers, remember that injuries almost always result from improper handling and a disregard for safety.
The OPP & Canada Safety Council would like to share some fireworks safety tips from purchasing and setting up, to the fireworks show and proper disposal. Regulation alone cannot protect the public. It must be combined with personal responsibility and awareness.
- 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.
- Always 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.
- 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 constant supervision on children.
- Have a bucket of sand, supply of water and a working fire extinguisher on hand.
- Only adults should handle the fireworks. If you are impaired by alcohol or drugs do not handle the fireworks.
- Light only one firework item at a time.
- Wear protective eyeglasses and gloves. Light at arm’s length and then stand 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.
- 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.
For more information, please visit https://canadasafetycouncil.org/contact-us.
