City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release: May 14, 2015
Fireworks safety for Torontonians: plan, prepare, protect
and prevent
The City of Toronto's Fire Services reminds Toronto
residents that attention is needed for the safe use of fireworks and sparklers
at Victoria Day celebrations this weekend.
Fire Services advises that fireworks have the potential
to cause serious injury. If you plan to host your own display, make sure
responsible adults supervise. Take the time to plan, prepare, protect and
prevent: plan and prepare for a safe display, protect all participants/viewers
and prevent a fireworks-related accident.
In Toronto, fireworks displays/discharges must comply
with the City of Toronto fireworks bylaw (Bylaw 1422-2007, Municipal Code 466).
Fire Services prefers that families visit a community
fireworks presentation conducted by a professional fireworks display company.
The following list of safety tips is for adults who are considering hosting
their own backyard fireworks event. Note that Toronto's parks may not be used
for personal fireworks displays.
Plan:
• Fireworks may only be used without a permit on
designated holidays (such as Victoria Day).
• Purchase fireworks from a retailer displaying a
City-issued fireworks vendor permit.
• Always read and follow the manufacturer's label
directions.
Prepare:
• Before fireworks and sparklers are used, they must be
kept out of reach of children, preferably in a locked cupboard or drawer.
• Discharge the fireworks a safe distance from combustible
materials such as buildings and trees.
• Before they are ignited, fireworks should be buried at
least half their length into a bucket of sand if portable firing bases are not
available. Plant the fireworks directly into the sand to make sure each piece
is firmly supported and is aimed straight and away from the audience.
Protect:
• Light the fireworks at arm's length, stand back and
keep your face turned away. If a firework fails to ignite, do not attempt to
re-light it. Let it sit in the base for 10 to 15 minutes, then soak it in a
bucket of water.
• The adult igniting the fireworks must wear eye
protection and avoid having any part of his or her body over the firework.
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
• Never discharge fireworks in metal or glass containers.
• Never discharge fireworks indoors.
• If someone suffers a burn, run cool water over it for a
few minutes and consider further treatment.
Prevent:
• In order to prevent an accident or injury, sparklers
should be doused with water, or allowed to cool in a safe place away from
children playing. The ends of sparklers continue to stay hot for some time and
will easily burn a child’s skin, clothing or other nearby combustible material.
• Do not allow sparklers to be used indoors.
• Children make a great audience but they must never be
permitted to light fireworks. Adults are responsible for handling the fireworks
while spectators watch the display from a safe distance.
• One designated adult should ignite the fireworks.
• Ignited fireworks must never be hand-held.
• Light only one firework item at a time.
• Always have water on hand – a garden hose and bucket of
water – to soak fireworks after they have fired.
This news release is also available on the City's
website: http://bit.ly/1A2zM5l
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in
North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It
is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently
ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host
City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on
non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and
visitors can visit toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or
follow us @TorontoComms.
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