Fireworks in the sky!

Jun 28, 2012 | Home & Community Safety, News, Older

The Canada Safety Council (CSC) believes that the safest way to enjoy fireworks this Canada Day is to attend a fireworks show handled by professionals. If you decide to put on your own fireworks show with fireworks that you purchased at your local retail store, CSC would like to remind you to put safety first.

CSC would like to share the following safety tips, from purchasing to proper disposal of fireworks. Personal responsibility and awareness must be combined with regulation because, alone, regulation cannot protect the public.

Purchasing:

Follow your provincial and municipal 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. Do not, under any circumstances, improvise and make your own fireworks.

Setting Up:

Read the instructions. The instructions, cautions and warnings on each firework item are there for a reason. Read them before doing anything else.
Store unused fireworks in a closed box, stored away from the firework being lit, and do not smoke around the fireworks, whether they are being used or not.
Set up the fireworks outdoors in a clear, open space. Light fireworks on a hard, flat and level surface to insure stability.
Ensure that the wind is blowing away from the spectators. This reduces the odds of a spark or firework landing among the viewers.
Respect the safety distance written on the fireworks label and ensure that spectators are kept at least that far away from the display. Keep a careful watch on any children who are present.
Have a bucket of sand, a supply of water and a working fire extinguisher on hand as a preventative measure.

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 then stand back.
Never lean over the fireworks. Keep hair and clothes away from fire sources to avoid accidental ignition.
Never attempt to re-light a “dud” or defective firework.
Never hold a lit 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.
Dispose of fireworks safely and properly by soaking all fireworks in water before throwing them in the garbage.

Canada Safety Council knows that fireworks are popular, impressive and, in the right circumstances, can be quite fun. Know the safety rules and respect the firework’s firepower. Happy Canada Day!

For more information, please contact:
Communications/Media Program Coordinator
(613) 739-1535 (ext. 228)

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