With Canada Day weekend coming up fast, The London Fire Department is urging families interested in fireworks to attend shows that are done by professionals who know what they are doing.
However, if families are wanting to do their own fireworks this year, Assistant Chief Fire Prevention Officer, Dianne Lebold talked to XFM news reporter, Sofia Rodriguez, about how to practice safe measures while having fun this weekend.
” The London Fire Department wants people to have fun, but to be safe while doing so.” – Dianne Lebold, assistant chief fire prevention officer.
However, Lebold also wants Londoners to keep in mind how their fireworks may affect neighbours surrounding them. She says they do get a lot of complaints from neighbours about debris left over from the fireworks. Lebold continues by saying “…. people need to be paying attention… some people have animals that get bothered by the fireworks, some people suffer from anxiety” and the loud noises bother them.
She warns that if you want to have fun with fireworks this weekend to proceed with caution in doing so around children. “Keep sparkler’s away from children… you’re giving a child a piece of molten metal on a stick and that can be a burn hazard,”Lebold say. She says if they are burned to make sure you run the burn under cold water for 3-5 minutes.
She also reminds Londoners that they need to be aware of noise by laws, as they can be fined up to five thousand dollars for ignoring them. Fireworks can be set off on Saturday.
The London Fire Department has provided a full list of precautions for you to keep in mind if either your family or your neighbourhood is planning a firework display.
- 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 an 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.
Picture courtesy of XFM reporter Nahshon Herman
