Celebrate Victoria Day safety with tips from Clarington Emergency and Fire Services

With the Victoria Day long weekend ahead of us, Clarington Emergency and Fire Services want to remind residents about fireworks and sparkler safety. If you choose to have a private fireworks display, please be considerate of your neighbours when discharging fireworks. 

In Clarington, By-law 2015-047 regulates the discharge and sale of fireworks and states that residents can only discharge fireworks between dusk and 11 p.m. on the three days immediately before and including Victoria Day. 

Fireworks safety tips 

Don’ts: 

• Don’t discharge fireworks on Municipal property, public parks or open spaces without a permit. 
• Don’t discharge fireworks on highways or roads. 
• Don’t light fireworks in windy conditions. 
• Don’t attempt to re-light a defective firework. 
• Don’t ever hold a lit firework in your hand. 

Dos: 

• Always read the instructions first. 
• Use a good discharge base such as a bucket filled with sand. 
• Set fireworks up in a clear, open space on your property away from any obstacles. 
• Check the safety instructions on the fireworks label to see the minimum distance you need to keep from spectators. 
• Only adults should handle fireworks. 
• Always keep water or a fire extinguisher on hand in case you need it. 
• Wait at least 30 minutes before approaching a firework that did not go off and submerge it in water. 
• Respect your neighbours, their property and the community. 
• Keep fireworks in a cool, dry, ventilated place out of reach of children. 
• Clean up all debris from the fireworks. 

Sparkler safety tips 

Make sure everyone who handles sparklers wears protective gloves. 

• Avoid loose-fitting or flowing clothing, which can catch fire. 
• Children should only use sparklers under adult supervision. Sparklers are not suitable for children under five years old. 
• Sparklers should be held at an arm’s length while being lit and only light one at a time. 
• Keep a safe distance from others who are using sparklers. Don’t wave sparklers around close to other people. 
• When a sparkler has burned out, place it, hot end down, in a bucket of cold water or sand. Leave it there for several hours – they stay hot for a long time! 

Be considerate of your neighbours 

Please be aware of your neighbours as not everyone is a fan of fireworks. 

• Let your neighbours know that you are planning to discharge fireworks. 
• Be aware of pets as they can be easily frightened by the noise. 
• Discharge fireworks between the allotted time of dusk and 11 p.m. 
• Safely clean up and dispose of the firework debris. 

To learn more fire safety tips, visit www.clarington.net/FireSafety. 

Have a safe and happy Victoria Day.