Celebrate safely: Fireworks tips and neighbourly reminders for Canada Day

As we prepare to celebrate Canada Day, 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 (May 19, 2025);
• Canada Day (July 1, 2025); and,
• Diwali (October 20, 2025).

Using fireworks outside the allotted time can result in fines of up to $100,000. 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 relight 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 several 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 fireworks fallout.

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 X.

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.