Fireworks Pose Serious Risks

Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Office of the Fire Marshal	Ministère de la Sécurité communautaire et des Services correctionnels Bureau du commissaire des incendies
Place Nouveau Building 7th Floor 5775 Yonge Street North York ON M2M 4J1 Telephone 416-325-3100 Facsimile: 416-325-3162	Édifice Place Nouveau 7^eétage 5775 rue Yonge North York ON M2M 4J1 Téléphone: 416-325-3100 Télécopieur: 416-325-3162

TORONTO - May 16, 2006 - The Fire Marshal of Ontario is urging the public to attend fireworks displays hosted by their local municipalities to minimize the risk of fire and burn injuries in their own backyards this weekend.

“We want everyone to enjoy the Victoria Day weekend, and that includes staying safe,” says Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle. “Fireworks are extremely dangerous and for this reason we do not recommend family fireworks or informal neighbourhood displays. Fireworks should be left to certified technicians who are trained to handle and discharge them safely.”

For those still choosing to have family fireworks or informal neighbourhood displays, the Office of the Fire Marshal has developed a Fireworks Safety Tips fact sheet. Important safety precautions like carefully reading and following the directions on fireworks packaging, keeping a water hose or pail of water available, never re-lighting “duds” and never giving sparklers to young children are some of the tips to ensure fireworks are safe for everyone.

Other important fireworks safety tips include ensuring that only adults handle and discharge fireworks, lighting only one firework at a time, never trying to light a firework or hold a lit firework in your hand, keeping everyone a safe distance from discharged fireworks and seeking medical attention if necessary after running cool water over burn wounds for three to five minutes.

“Everyone must take the responsibility to ensure their family’s safety,” says Moyle. “Parents are urged to follow the fireworks safety tips and keep fireworks away from children.”

The Fireworks Safety Tips sheet may be viewed and/or saved from the OFM Web site at: www.ofm.gov.on.ca.

Fireworks Safety Tips

	To minimize the risk of fire and burn injury, the fire service does not recommend family fireworks or informal neighbourhood displays.
	The fire service suggests attending public fireworks displays hosted by your municipality or other responsible organization.
	If you still choose to have a family fireworks or informal neighbourhood display, check with your local fire department about regulations pertaining to the handling and discharging of fireworks for these activities. Here are some important safety tips to be followed:
		Handling and discharging of fireworks must only be done by adults. Appoint one person to be in charge, who knows about the hazards of fireworks and essential safety precautions.
		Carefully read and follow the label directions on fireworks packaging.
		Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by.
		Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass.
		Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass.
		Always keep everyone a safe distance away from discharged fireworks.
		Light only one firework at a time, and never try to light a firework, or hold a lit firework, in your hand.
		Never re-light “dud” fireworks. It is best to wait 30 minutes and then soak them in a bucket of water. Dispose of them in a metal garbage can.
		Never give sparklers to children. While sparklers are considered to be harmless fun, they burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing, cause blindness and result in severe burns. As the sparkler wire remains hot for some minutes after burnout, it should be immediately soaked in water to avoid injury.
		If someone gets burned, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes and seek medical attention if necessary.

For more information, please contact:
Carol Gravelle, Office of the Fire Marshal, 416-325-3138
Bev Gilbert, Office of the Fire Marshal, 416-325-3178