A weekend full of celebrations is sparking a safety reminder from Muskoka fire officials. Muskoka Fire Prevention Officers says fireworks should be left to the experts.
Bracebridge FPO Mike Peake says Bracebridge, Huntsville, Georgian Bay, Baysville and Muskoka Lakes are all hosting fireworks displays with experts who have professional training. He says fireworks can be extremely dangerous for everyone else.
However, Peake says if you are planning fireworks check with your local fire department to find out the regulations.
Muskoka Fire Prevention has released the following safety tips for those planning fireworks at home:
- Appoint a responsible person to be in charge. Only adults who are aware of the hazards and essential safety precautions should handle and discharge fireworks
- Carefully read and follow the label directions on fireworks packaging
- Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by when discharging fireworks
- Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry
- grass
- Keep onlookers a safe distance away, upwind from the area where fireworks are
- discharged
- Light only one firework at a time and only when they are on the ground
- Never try to light a firework in your hand or re-light dud fireworks. For dud fireworks, it is best to wait 30 minutes and soak them in a bucket of water. Dispose of them in a metal container
- Discharge fireworks only if wind conditions do not create a safety hazard
- Keep sparklers away from children. Sparklers 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
