Don't Be Foolish With Fireworks

Sunday, October 31, 2010 05:55 AM

Prince George, B.C. - With many city residents choosing to add a little 'bang' to this evening's festivities, the City's Chief Fire Prevention Officer is out with a list of precautions...

Dennis Perrault, with Prince George Fire Rescue, says only those 18-years and older can purchase and set off fireworks -- anyone younger must be supervised by an adult. He's reminding residents to choose wide open spaces, and to make sure if it's not their property, ensure they have permission from the rightful owner.

Perrault emphasizes reading the manufacturers' instructions before lighting -- and if those instructions aren't written in English and French, then the device isn't approved for sale in Canada.

As for preparation, he says, "You should never set off fireworks when it's windy."

"If the firework doesn't have a nice base, you should have a bucket of sand or a wheelbarrow full of sand, bury it halfway in -- unless the manufacturers' instructions say otherwise -- angle it about 10-degrees."

Perrault advises to have a bucket of water nearby to put the firework debris in afterwards. And he cautions that if a firework fails to ignite, don't approach it for about 30-minutes afterwards -- and put it into the water, don't try to re-light it.

For those who think it's easier and cheaper to just watch, the College Heights Community Association's annual Halloween fireworks begin at 8:15pm this evening in the schoolyard of College Heights Secondary.

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Posted on Sunday, October 31, 2010 05:55 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: acrider54 on October 31 2010 8:01 AM

Blasted ours off last night with the grandkids, I still have all my fingers and the wife and grandkids are all intact.

Posted by: Vdesign on October 31 2010 9:39 AM

Have probably lit off well over a thousand fireworks over the years, it is good fun and brings excitement to the kids and adults as well.

I only ever had one go bad, I lit it up, stood back and waited, I don't know exactly what happened inside, but it started to make a sound, then blew out the side of the firework with enough force to knock it out of the sand. This then roughly "L" shaped firework, then proceeding to fire off the remaining 8 exploding projectiles in random directions, and it bounced around. It was one of my most terrifying moments of my life.

Luckily no one was hurt, but I have to think given the explosive power, it would have blown someone’s hand it two if they would have been holding it, (as I have seen teenagers do).

I still think fireworks are good, and have not stopped using them, but am more cautions, keep everyone back further, and make sure everyone has fun . . . and stays out of the hospital.

Posted by: whelen on October 31 2010 1:19 PM

Fireworks freak out a lot of dogs, it does not bring "fun and excitement" to dogs and their owners. personally I don't care if you blind your kid or blow your fingers off. Fun and excitement are worth it.

Posted by: alex1212 on October 31 2010 1:42 PM

not funny when the "kids" throw them around the streets and at parked cars!it takes a few idiots and the laws will change

'

Posted by: JamesToney on October 31 2010 4:15 PM

remember kids light the roman candles then point them at your face just make sure there really lit :)