time correctly, don ’ t risk an accidental explosion by relighting. Instead, please stay away from these duds for five minutes (if there is an unexpected delayed explosion), soak them in water and dispose of them with other spent fireworks that have been wetted. Put them in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day. While children seem to love fireworks especially, they should never handle them. Sometimes adults distribute sparklers for children to hold, thinking these are a safer alternative. Unfortunately, they burn at extremely high temperatures and cause severe burns and other injuries if mishandled. Any child under the age of 12 should be very closely supervised when playing with sparklers. The City of London says those with noise complaints regarding fireworks can call London police ’ s non - emergency line at 519 - 661 - 5670. - TK
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 25. (1) Every person who contravenes any of the provisions of this by - law is guilty of an offence. (2) Every person who is convicted of an offence under this by - law is liable to a fine: (a) upon a first conviction to a maximum fine of $5,000.00; (b) upon a subsequent conviction to a maximum fine of $10,000.00. As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The Canada Safety Council [iv] advises reading all instructions, cautions and warnings on fireworks very carefully to ensure that you understand how to handle, set up, light properly, and dispose of, each explosive. Generally, all unused fireworks should be stored in a closed box away from any fireworks being lit. All other open flames or sparks (from things like cigarettes or sparklers) should be far from fireworks. Next, choose a clear, open space for your launching area. Using hard, flat and level surfaces will help ensure stability. All spectators should be a safe distance away from fireworks when being lit (see distance requirements on instructions), and children should be closely monitored. If there is any wind, it should be blowing in a direction away from spectators. Also, be sure to keep a bucket of sand, a source of water and a fire extinguisher nearby. When it ’ s time to start the show, only adults (18 years of age or over) should handle fireworks, and no one who is impaired by alcohol or drugs should be permitted to manage them. Although professional fireworks displays often light multiple items at one time, backyard enthusiasts should only ever light one at a time. The person lighting the fireworks should wear protective goggles and gloves, light the fireworks at arm ’ s length, and stand back. Never lean over fireworks when lighting them or hold them in your hand while they are lit. Ensure long hair is tied back and wear properly fitted clothing. Although matches or lighters are commonly used to light fireworks, open flames can be harder to control – especially when there is wind. A special smouldering stick called a “ punk ” can be a safer option. Sometimes a firework fizzles or doesn ’ t explode. While it might be tempting to try to relight these defective fireworks again if they don ’ t work the first
CCI Review 2021/2022 —September 2021 - 18
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