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Backyard Fireworks

North Bay Fire Chief Ted McCullough along with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and the Fire Marshal of Ontario are asking that people celebrate the Victoria Day holiday by attending the community fireworks versus having backyard displays.
North Bay Fire Chief Ted McCullough along with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and the Fire Marshal of Ontario are asking that people celebrate the Victoria Day holiday by attending the community fireworks versus having backyard displays.

Last year there were 31 fireworks-related incidents in Toronto with the most serious resulting in costly fires as well as personal injuries. One fire caused $600,000 damage and gutted two homes and three cars.

Full details are contained in the release below.

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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."

Last year, over Victoria Day weekend, there were 31 fireworks-related
incidents reported by Toronto Fire Services alone. Most resulted in serious
fires and injuries. One such fireworks-related fire caused $600,000 damage and gutted two homes and three cars.

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.

"Recent loss reports related to fireworks have included injuries, vandalism and property damage," says Moyle. "Everyone must take the responsibility to ensure their family's safety. 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 from the Office of the Fire Marshal

- 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.

- 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.

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