Fireworks Safety Tips - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk

As Canada Day approaches, Greg shares tips for avoiding the dangers associated with fireworks in Saskatchewan. 800 CHAB Radio presents Ask the Expert with Greg Marcyniuk of Heritage Insurance located in Moose Jaw

Here's a transcript of this episode:

Rob Carnie: Everybody likes fireworks, but fireworks can be dangerous. Rob Carnie on 800 CHAB'S ask the expert, with Greg Marcyniuk from Heritage Insurance. Greg, we see more and more fireworks and they're not just for Canada Day anymore and people who like to go camping out of the lake, people who have places out of the lake, sometimes you'll see fireworks every weekend and there're some safety concerns here, and some things people should know before they purchase fireworks.

Greg Marcyniuk: That's correct Rob because they are a fire hazard. And of course being an insurance agent I wanna see that we don't have any fire hazards out of there. So, first of all you should always follow the laws and regulations to use the fireworks and purchase fireworks from a reputable source that sells products meeting safety requirements, and stay away from any sort of illegal explosives or fire crackers, and don't try to improvise or make your own fireworks. Just not a good idea. Read the instructions because it gives you cautions and warnings on each of the fireworks.

Store unused fireworks in a closed box away from where you're setting off the fireworks, because I've seen that happen before. Set up outdoors in a clear open space, and light your fire work on a hard flat and level surface as well. Check the wind and make sure the wind is blowing away from the spectators when you are lighting them, and spectators should be a good safe distance away from the fireworks so that they are not in harm's way. As well, have a bucket of sand, supply of water and a working fire extinguisher on hands.

Now, when you are doing the show make sure that the person that's lighting the fireworks is an adult at least 18 years and older. Light only one firework at a time. As well as wear protective eye glasses and as well gloves, and make sure that you light them at least an arm's length away and then stand back.

Never lean over the fireworks and keep your hair and clothing away from the fire source. Never attempt to re-light a dud, just throw that thing away. And never hold a lighted firework in your hand. I've seen this on YouTube and it's been done and you don't wanna do it. Just way too dangerous.

Proper disposal, make sure that any sparklers that you've been using or kids have been using make sure that you immerse them in a bucket of sand or water, let them cool down after they burning out as they do remain very hot. And fireworks again should be disposed of properly, and again just do it safely.

So just a few tips there because July 1st is coming up. But again people are lighting them pretty near every weekend, and they are fun to watch.

Rob: Absolutely. How do we know the difference between a reputable dealer and not? You can buy them almost anywhere now, what do we look for?

Greg: From what I understand is you wanna look and make sure that...most places is a reputable place like CostCo, dollar stores, those places, a co-op. They do purchase from it. It's when somebody's dealing them out of the back of the trunk of their car. Those are the ones that you wanna stay away. But most of the reputable retailers, Canadian Tire, or whatever, they do provide quality and reputable fireworks.

Rob: Okay, Greg Marcyniuk, 800 CHAB's Ask The Expert, from Heritage Insurance in downtown Moose Jaw. We can find this tip online.

Greg: That's correct at No Hassle Insurance, or you can come down to corner of Fairford and first and talk to any of our fine people here.

(Video transcription by Speechpad)

Fireworks Safety Tips - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk

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