June 3, 2005
2005-12
The fire service was dismayed by the number of fires caused by the careless
use of fireworks over the Victoria Day holiday weekend. The misuse of fireworks
by children and young adults is cause for concern and has led some
municipalities to consider banning the sale and use of consumer/family
fireworks.
According to this year’s statistics, Toronto Fire Services reports fireworks as
the ignition source for 34 fires. Of these, 31 occurred over the Victoria Day
weekend and caused more than $300,000 in property damage. Another recent fire,
still under investigation, is believed to also have been ignited by fireworks.
This fire gutted two homes and three cars for an estimated preliminary loss of
$600,000. Fortunately, there were no fatalities in any of these fires.
The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) does not recommend backyard or
family-gathering fireworks, or informal neighbourhood displays. Instead, the OFM
strongly suggests the public attend fireworks displays prepared and put on by
trained fireworks professionals and organized by responsible organizations such
as the municipality.
The OFM has developed a fact sheet titled
Fireworks Safety Tips and a sample news release to raise public
awareness about fire prevention. Both are attached for your information and use.
They list safety measures to be taken by those who choose to have backyard or
family-gathering fireworks, or informal neighbourhood displays, despite our
recommendations.
Fire departments are encouraged to take the news release and fireworks safety
tips fact sheet to their local media prior to Canada Day to help ensure the
public is made aware of the hazards. Interviews with local radio, television and
print media are also effective methods of raising awareness.
The OFM also asks for your assistance to help us reduce fires and injuries from
fireworks by enforcing Article 5.2.2.1. of the Ontario Fire Code, which states
that the “manufacture, storage, transportation and sale of fireworks and
pyrotechnics shall be in conformance with the Explosives Act (Canada) and the
Explosives Regulations made thereunder.” Subsection 120.(1) of the Explosives
Regulations (Canada) prohibits the sale of explosives (fireworks) to any person
under 18 years of age or who appears to be under 18 years of age and does not
produce evidence of being 18 or older. In addition, Part XI of the Explosives
Regulations (Canada) has specific requirements for the storage and display of
explosives (fireworks) in retail outlets.
The
Fireworks Safety Tips fact sheet and sample news release may be
viewed and/or saved from the OFM Web site at www.ofm.gov.on.ca.
Inquiries about the
Fireworks Safety Tips fact sheet and/or news release should be
directed to Carol Gravelle, Public Relations Officer/Messenger Editor, at (416)
325-3138, or by e-mail at
Carol.Gravelle@jus.gov.on.ca.
Attachments/
Fireworks Safety Tips (HTML,
PDF)
Sample News Release (HTML,
PDF)
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