Fireworks bylaw reminder from Windsor Fire and Rescue

The Victoria Day long weekend is here, and Windsor Fire is reminding the community of the city’s fireworks bylaw.

Speaking on AM800’s Mornings with Mike and Meg, Chief Fire Prevention Officer John Smith says in Windsor, residents can set off consumer fireworks on certain days and occasions.

He says they can be set off the day before the Victoria Day holiday, Victoria Day, and the day following the actual holiday as well as Canada Day to July 4 and New Year’s Eve.

Smith says if you’re setting off fireworks this weekend, safety is the number one priority.

He says fireworks should be discharged outside.

“If you’re going to do fireworks, you got to make sure you have a clear area; got to make sure anybody watching the fireworks, your audience, is far enough away that they’re not going to get any danger from the fireworks, and that’s the fallout too because you do get some debris from fireworks,” he says.

Smith says a source of water should be nearby, such as a bucket of water, when discharging fireworks.

“You got to look for overhangs, you got to look for trees again; you want to make sure you’re away from buildings,” says Smith. “Obviously adults should be the only ones discharging fireworks, and if you’re doing a display, only one person should be discharging the fireworks.”

He says never to discharge a firework while it’s still in your hand.

“Definitely do not ever, ever hold a firework in your hand and try to shoot it up in the area; that’s just not safe,” he says.

Smith says there is also a city bylaw in place for open-air burning.

He says a permit is needed for open-air burns.