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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

Ontario logo 
Place Nouveau Building
7th Floor
5775 Yonge Street
North York ON M2M 4J1
Telephone 416-325-3100
Facsimile: 416-325-3162

Édifice Place Nouveau
7e étage
5775 rue Yonge
North York ON M2M 4J1
Téléphone: 416-325-3100
Télécopieur: 416-325-3162

OFM logo


Attention News and Assignment Editors

FIREWORKS POSE SERIOUS RISKS

TORONTO (May 15, 2008) - Instead of setting off fireworks in their backyards or neighbourhoods this Victoria Day weekend, the Office of the Fire Marshal is urging Ontario residents to attend fireworks’ displays hosted by their local municipalities.

Many municipalities have fireworks’ displays run by experts who are trained to handle and discharge fireworks safely. Fireworks can be extremely dangerous if used improperly and for this reason, the fire service does not recommend family fireworks or informal neighbourhood displays.

For those still choosing to have their own fireworks displays, the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) has developed a Fireworks Safety Tips sheet. Important safety precautions such as carefully reading and following the directions on fireworks packaging, keeping a water hose or pail of water available, never giving sparklers to young children and appointing one adult to be in charge of discharging fireworks are some of the OFM’s tips to ensure fireworks are safe for everyone.

Other important fireworks safety tips can be found on the Fireworks Safety Tips sheet at: www.ofm.gov.on.ca

 

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For more information, contact:
Marie Ainey, Office of the Fire Marshal, 416-325-3155