The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) proudly stands behind the 2024 HFD Fire Safety First program initiated by the Hamilton Fire Department. Throughout February to June 2024, our schools will contribute to community safety by sharing monthly fire safety messages.
These crucial messages, sourced from reputable entities including the Hamilton Fire Department, the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal, the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, and the National Fire Prevention Association, will be communicated through various channels.
Fireworks Safety Child Message:
This month, we celebrate Victoria Day, which means there will be fireworks! Here are some fire safety tips to help kids and their families enjoy fireworks safely. Kids should never play with fireworks. Even sparklers are dangerous, too. If your parent or caregiver allows you to have a sparkler, make sure you:
- Have one lit sparkler at a time. • Use them outside and away from your face, clothing, and hair. Sparklers can reach 982°C (1,800°F) — hot enough to melt gold!
- Never wave or point the sparkler in the direction of other people or pets.
- Put them in a bucket of water or sand once they burn out.
The best place to watch fireworks is at a public display. If fireworks are being set off in your neighbourhood, it is safest for children, spectators and pets to watch them from a “SAFE ZONE”, far away from where they are being lit.
If your clothes catch on fire, remember to “STOP! DROP! and ROLL!
Child Activity:
Please see the following pages for a fireworks paint activity and fireworks colouring pages.
Fireworks Safety Tips for Adults
If you are having a family fireworks display, it is important to know that the use of fireworks is dangerous and can cause injury or property damage. The Hamilton Fire Department reminds residents, having a family fireworks display, that fireworks can only be discharged on Victoria Day and Canada Day, between dusk and 11:00 p.m. If inclement weather (rain storms, high winds) prevents discharging fireworks on the specific holidays, individuals may discharge on the day immediately following, during the same time period. Additionally, fireworks can only be discharged on private property, following manufacturer safety guidelines, particularly regarding distances from homes or other structures. Fireworks may not be discharged on public or City property, including streets, school yards or parks.
We urge you to follow these important fireworks safety tips to ensure that everyone in attendance enjoys the show safely:
- Carefully read and follow the label instructions on fireworks packaging, including those for required clearances and set-backs.
- Choose a clear, open space, away from buildings and combustible materials. Check that there are no overhead wires or tree branches.
- Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by.
- Set up a 'safe zone' where the fireworks will be discharged. Keep all spectators, children and pets upwind from and out of this area. The label on the firework will tell you how far it will reach; the safe zone should be at least this distance away from spectators.
- Keep fireworks in a closed box, away from the activation area, taking them out one at a time.
- If not equipped with a base, firmly set the firework at least half its length in a bucket of sand or dirt, angled slightly away from spectators, checking the direction and strength of the wind before lighting.
- Discharge fireworks only if wind conditions do not create a safety hazard.
- Never lean over a firework at any time. Keep hair and clothes away from fire sources.
- Light only one firework at a time and ignite only at the tip of the fuse.
- Never try to light a firework in your hand or hold a lit firework. • Use a flashlight to see what you are doing.
- If a firework is a 'dud" or misfires, approach it with caution. Never try to re-light a firework. Leave it for at least 30 minutes and then place it in a bucket of water.
Supervise the use of all sparklers, especially with children. Sparklers burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing, cause blindness and result in severe burns. Children should have only one lit sparkler at a time and should never wave or point the sparkler in the direction of other people. Sparklers may remain hot for several minutes after burnout and should be immediately soaked in water to avoid injury. If someone is burned, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes and seek medical attention, if necessary.
For more Fireworks Safety information, please visit: https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/emergency-services/fire-department
We hope that, by working together, we can support a collective effort to prevent emergencies, protect people and their property when emergencies occur and help the City of Hamilton be the best place to raise a child and age successfully. Thank you, Hamilton Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division – Schools and Community Engagement
