Fireworks Safety

Have a celebration planned that includes fireworks? Make sure you’re following Norfolk County by-laws and doing so safely. Check out our safety tips below.

Fireworks By-Law

In addition to firework safety, residents are reminded of the Norfolk County Fireworks Regulating By-Law. Highlights include:

• Fireworks are permitted 2 days prior, and up to 1 day after, each of the following holidays: New Year’s Eve, Victoria Day Monday, Canada Day, US Independence Day, Civic Holiday Monday, Labour Day Monday.
• Fireworks may only be discharged up to 11 p.m.
• Fireworks are not permitted to be discharged on municipal property or roadways.
• The user of the fireworks must own the property they are discharging on or have permission from the property owner.

Fireworks safety tips

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to go to a public display or enjoy one virtually hosted by trained and certified professionals. If you choose to have a family or an informal neighbourhood fireworks display, check out these tips:

• Choose a clear, open space, away from buildings, overhead wires and tree branches
• Appoint a responsible person to be in charge. Only adults who are aware of the hazards and essential safety precautions should handle and discharge fireworks.
• Do not discharge fireworks if there is enough wind that could carry them or their remains outside of the discharge area, especially if there are any buildings or dry grass in the immediate downwind area
• Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees, and dry grass.
• Carefully read and follow the label directions on fireworks packaging.
• Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by when discharging fireworks.
• Keep onlookers a safe distance away, upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged.
• Light only one firework at a time and only when they are on the ground. Never try to light a firework in your hand or re-light dud fireworks. For dud fireworks, it is best to wait 30 minutes and soak them in a bucket of water. Dispose of them in a metal container.
• Keep sparklers away from children. Sparklers burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing, cause blindness and result in severe burns. As the sparkler wire remains hot for some minutes after burnout, it should be immediately soaked in water to avoid injury.
• If someone gets burned, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes and seek medical attention, if necessary.

Sparkler safety

Sparklers may be small, but they burn very hot. Even after burning out, sparklers can be hot. Place sparklers and fireworks in a metal bucket of water or sand to cool down after use.

If you have a personal safety concern related to the discharge of fireworks, contact the Norfolk OPP non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122.

Complaints

If you wish to file a complaint of fireworks being set off outside of the approved time and/or day submit a By-Law Complaint Form, or contact Service Norfolk at 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK. As the setting of fireworks is generally of short duration and outside of Bylaw working hours, anyone submitting a complaint must be able to identify the person or persons responsible and be willing to attend court in support of a charge if required.