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Prince George, B.C.-  It is not uncommon on Halloween to hear the pop, pop, pop  of firecrackers, but  there  are  rules about the use of the  mini explosives.

The City of Prince George City addresses the use  and sale of fireworks, including firecrackers, under its Prince George Fire Protection and Emergency Response Bylaw No. 827.

Section 20.1 of that bylaw sets an age requirement for the use of fireworks and firecrackers, stating:

(a) No person under the age of 18 years shall light, hold or explode any fireworks at any time.

(b) No person under the age of 18 years shall possess any fireworks in the City of Prince George.

(c) No person shall sell, give or dispose of any fireworks of any class or description to a person who is under the age of 18 years.

Retailers in the City  also face  specific windows  of time when they can  sell fireworks and must file  an application with the Fire Chief before being allowed  to sell fireworks.

Retailers in Prince George who have secured a valid permit,  are only allowed to sell  the items between June 25th and July1st, October 24th to 31st, and again  December 27th to  December 31st.

The RCMP routinely get numerous calls on Halloween about firecrackers and the reports are  often from folks who  believe they have  heard gunshots “We must investigate each and every  such call” says RCMP Media Liaison Corporal Craig Douglass.

Fireworks and firecrackers are only allowed  to be  ignited on July 1st,  Halloween and New Year’s eve.

Fines for violating the bylaw range from $500 to $1000.