Halloween is days away and with the trick or treat-sized fun comes a warning from police and emergency services to stay safe when it comes to fireworks.
For some, fireworks can be the best part of Halloween but also the worst.
According to police, the toll in Metro Vancouver from mishandled fireworks includes severe injuries and burned homes and it’s one reason why they’re ramping up enforcement over the weekend and on Halloween night.
The Vancouver Police Department will be looking for illegal firecrackers like Roman candles, bottle rockets, and firecrackers.
“We will seize those and you do run the risk of a $500 fine under the city bylaw,” VPD Sgt. Brian Montague said.
Fireworks are allowed in Vancouver and neighbouring municipalities but only on Halloween night. They must be set off on private property and you must have a permit. In Vancouver, the permits are available online.
“You need to be a resident of Vancouver and you need to be at least 19 years of age,” Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Capt. Jonathan Gormick said.
“If you go to City of Vancouver website, search for fireworks and click on apply now. You need to read a short informational piece that tells you how to safely purchase, use and store fireworks and dispose of fireworks, after which you do a short multiple choice test. And then you can print off a permit that you can sign and take to one of the many authorized retailers around the city.”
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In Surrey, over the last two days, the city’s bylaw enforcement officers said they have seized a record of $100,000 of illegal fireworks and firecrackers. The city said the aim was to reduce the number of injuries due to fireworks and the operation was targeted at businesses, mobile vendors and people selling from their private homes.
The illegal sale of fireworks is through online advertising, social media and storefronts that sell “under the counter” items, according to the City of Surrey. The penalties range from fines of up to $1,000 to a suspension or loss of their business license for those businesses found selling illegal fireworks.
The City of Surrey brought in a fireworks bylaw in 2005 making fireworks illegal in the city and say since then, there has been a significant decrease in injuries and fires caused by fireworks. The only exception for discharging fireworks is with a fire department permit and a federal fireworks supervisor certificate.
The Vancouver Fire Department is also keeping a watch on retailers. They’ve already shut down one and ticketed eight others for not following the rules. Fire officials are warning people about buying fireworks off Craiglist and said there have been incidences where people believed they were buying fireworks and actually ended up with industrial explosives.
In addition to fireworks safety, police are asking anyone with costume weaponry like replica handguns, hatchets or swords, to use common sense and make sure it’s easily identified as an imitation.
Some overall safety tips for Halloween night include:
- include reflective tape, glow sticks, flashlights or other articles that improve visibility
- use face paint or make-up instead of a mask
- younger kids should trick or treat with an adult
- stay in well-lit areas
- drivers are reminded to be patient, slow down, and be aware of the children who may be excited, darting around neighbourhoods, and not looking for cars
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