Sarnia Fire has received a number of fireworks related complaints as of late, prompting the service to issue a safety reminder about the colourful explosives.
Public Information Officer Mike Otis is urging residents to attend professional fireworks displays over setting off their own.
He said it's a huge liability to set off your own fireworks, adding that they can lead to dangerous injuries and even death.
"The dangers of fireworks can be very serious -- anything from permanent injury to death -- and people don't think of the liability involved. If your firework lands on somebody else's house and burns that house down or injures somebody, you will be held liable for that."
Otis said it is illegal to set off any fireworks on public property, and that it's also illegal to set off performance fireworks on private property.
"The only time you can set off fireworks on public property is with a fireworks permit through the fire chief."
When it comes to the setting off of fireworks, the following precautions are recommended:
-- 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.
-- Carefully read and follow the label directions on fireworks packaging.
-- Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by when discharging fireworks.
-- Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass.
-- 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.
-- Discharge fireworks only if wind conditions do not create a safety hazard.
-- 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.
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