Enjoy your New Year’s Eve fireworks safely, Saskatoon Fire Department says

Revellers in Saskatoon are free to enjoy fireworks on New Year’s Eve, but only low-hazard ones.

Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) said in a news release on Monday that only certain fireworks are able to be enjoyed for public recreational use, among them items like Roman candles, sparklers, fountains, wheels, volcanoes, mines and snakes.

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The low-hazard fireworks — those which travel less than 50m (160ft) high — can be discharged on private property between dusk on New Year’s Eve and 12:15 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

It is likely to be a chilly celebration in Saskatoon, with a 30 per cent chance of light snow and northwest winds of 20 km/h, bringing a wind chill minus 22 in the evening and minus 27 overnight, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

SFD said other fireworks are designed for professionals and can only be purchased by people who hold a valid Fireworks Supervisor (Level I or Level II) card issued by Natural Resources Canada.

When using fireworks, people should also:

• Carefully read and follow the manufacturer instructions.
• Exercise increased caution when handling and discharging fireworks.
• Familiarize themselves with the space requirements for the type of firework being used.
• Ensure the chosen location is free of overhead obstructions, is clear side-to-side and is a safe distance from combustible materials.
• Ensure that it is not windy and that all spectators are safely located to observe the display.
• Properly stabilize the fireworks according to the manufacturer direction.
• Other than sparklers, never light a firework in your hand or hold a lit firework.
• Always light the fuse at its tip.
• Never try to relight or fix the fuse on fireworks that did not go off.
• Have a supply of water available and use it to extinguish debris or smouldering embers.
• Users are solely responsible for any debris that may land on spectators or another’s property.

Read more:

• What’s open and closed in Saskatoon over the holidays
• Sick doctors mean hospital emergency department will close early Dec. 31