With the Victoria Day long weekend and warmer weather here, the City of Toronto is reminding residents about when and where they can set off fireworks, how to safely set them off and properly dispose of them.
The Province of Ontario’s Stay-At-Home order remains in place, prohibiting indoor and outdoor gatherings.
Residents setting off fireworks with members of their households on their own private property, can do so without a permit on Victoria Day and Canada Day. A permit is needed from Toronto Fire Services to set off fireworks on all other days. However, these permit applications are not being accepted at this time due to the Province’s Stay-At-Home order.
Residents are not permitted to set off fireworks in a City park, street, a parking lot or other people’s private property. Contact 311 to report the use of fireworks in a City park or possible misuse of fireworks.
To support compliant use of fireworks and reduce nuisance impacts of unpermitted fireworks use, bylaw enforcement officers will focus on education and take enforcement action where appropriate and required. Residents may be fined $300 for setting off fireworks in a park.
Fireworks have the potential to cause serious injury, so residents should take the time to prepare, protect and prevent fireworks accidents. Only responsible adults should supervise and set off fireworks. Children and those under 18 years old are not permitted to discharge fireworks.
Different fireworks have their own recommended discharge distance. Individuals setting off fireworks in their backyards should always follow the manufacturer’s label on fireworks, which includes information on how far away spectators need to be so that everyone can stay safe. Residents should make sure they have the proper sized yard and that there are no buildings or trees nearby.
It is important to safely dispose of fireworks. Used fireworks should never be put in the Blue Bin. Instead, used or unused fireworks should be completely submerged in water and soaked overnight. Soaked fireworks should then be put in a plastic bag and disposed of in regular household garbage.
More information about fireworks rules, safety tips and proper disposal is available at toronto.ca/fireworks.
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