Many people celebrate Victoria Day with fireworks. While fireworks are an exciting and wonderful way to celebrate Victoria Day, caution must be exercised when using fireworks. As lovely as fireworks are, they are just as dangerous. If you do not take steps to make your Victoria Day celebrations safe, you may find yourself in the hospital emergency room instead of enjoying the holiday with family and friends.
Fireworks Safety on Victoria Day
Below are several safety tips from our Ontario personal injury lawyers to help keep you safe this Victoria Day.
- Only purchase your fireworks from a reliable and reputable source. Defective fireworks can cause serious and life-threatening injuries.
- Never allow children to use fireworks. Only adults should handle fireworks.
- Read all instructions and carefully follow each instruction to reduce the risk of injury. In addition, read all warning labels thoroughly.
- Only use fireworks outdoors.
- Never set off a group of fireworks at the same time. Light only one firework at a time.
- Always have a bucket of water and a hose available in case of fire.
- Never use fireworks in strong winds.
- If a firework does not go off after you light it, you should wait 30 minutes before approaching the firework and placing it in a bucket of water. Never try to re-light a firework that did not go off.
- Wear eye protection and protective clothes when working with fireworks.
- Never point fireworks at another person or throw fireworks in the direction of another person or group of people.
- Do not experiment with fireworks — only use fireworks in accordance with the instructions.
- Secure fireworks before you light them. If the firework does not have a base, you need to secure it in a bucket filled with sand or in the ground. To prevent one firework from igniting adjacent fireworks, place a tinfoil “cap” over the tops of wicks until you are ready to light each firework.
- In Canada, you can transport up to 75 kg of Class 1.4g fireworks in your personal vehicle. Keep fireworks out of direct sunlight by placing the fireworks in your trunk or under the back seat until you arrive at your destination.
- Remember your pets while you celebrate Victoria Day. Fireworks frighten many pets. Provide a safe place indoors for your pet to feel at ease. If your pet is used to a crate, crating your pet may help your pet feel safe and secure during the fireworks show.
- Never use fireworks close to buildings or vehicles.
- Alcohol and fireworks are not a good combination. Do not attempt to light fireworks if you have been consuming alcoholic beverages.
If you do not have experience using fireworks, ask someone who has the experience to work with you the first time you use fireworks. It is better to be extra cautious than to suffer an injury from fireworks.
Call an Ontario Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are injured by fireworks this Victoria Day and you suspect a third party is liable for your injuries, contact the team of lawyers at Diamond and Diamond for a free legal consultation. Call our 24/7 injury hotline at 1-800-567-HURT or visit our website to speak to someone now
