Fireworks safety and neighbourly reminders for Canada Day
As the City of Oshawa prepares for Canada Day celebrations, Oshawa Fire Services reminds community members to keep fire safety and their neighbours in mind when lighting fireworks.
Under the City’s Fireworks By-law, community members can discharge Consumer (Family) Fireworks on their private property without a permit between dusk and 11 p.m. on:
- Victoria Day;
- Canada Day; and,
- the celebration known as Diwali Day.
The use of fireworks outside the allotted time period can result in fines of up to $25,000. Learn more, including prohibited activities, by reviewing the Fireworks By-law.
Fireworks safety reminders:
- Appoint a responsible person to be in charge. Only adults who are aware of the hazards and essential safety precautions should handle and discharge fireworks.
- Carefully read and follow the label directions on fireworks packaging.
- Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by when discharging fireworks.
- Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass.
- Keep onlookers a safe distance away, upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged.
- Light only one firework at a time and only when they are located on the ground. Never try to light a firework in your hand or re-light dud fireworks. For dud fireworks, it is best to wait 30 minutes and soak them in a bucket of water before disposal in a metal container.
- Discharge fireworks only if wind conditions do not create a safety hazard.
- Keep sparklers away from children. Sparklers burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing, cause blindness and result in severe burns. Sparklers remain hot for some minutes after burnout and should be immediately soaked in water to avoid injury.
- If someone is burned, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes and if necessary seek medical attention.
Be a considerate neighbour
The City’s by-laws regulate the use of fireworks in a way that is intended to be considerate of the community as a whole. Other ways to be a good neighbour include:
- communicating your plans with your neighbours ahead of time;
- be aware of pets, they often become frightened by the sound;
- enjoying the fireworks within the permitted time period; and,
- safely clean up and dispose of firework fall out.
To learn more about the sale and lighting of fireworks in Oshawa, visit the Fireworks webpage or review the Fireworks By-law. For information about Oshawa Fire Services, visit Oshawa.ca/Fire or follow them on Twitter.
For City of Oshawa updates, visit Oshawa.ca/NewsCentre to follow us on social media, subscribe to news and alerts, and have your say on Connect Oshawa.