Fireworks can add excitement to your Halloween event, but they can also cause serious injury and property damage. Before planning a fireworks event in Port Coquitlam, make sure you know the regulations and safe handling procedures.

Port Coquitlam Fireworks Regulations

Port Coquitlam’s fire regulations ban the sale of fireworks within the City, but they do allow them to be set off under certain conditions, including:

• A Fireworks Event Permit must be obtained from the City to set off fireworks.
• The permit is only valid on Oct. 31 until 11:00 p.m.
• You must be at least age 18 to handle fireworks.
• Fireworks must be discharged on private property with owner’s consent, or at a public event with written permission from the Fire Chief.
• Roman candles, firecrackers, bottle rockets and screechers are banned.

Anyone found to be contravening these regulations may be subject to a $750.00 fine and/or formal enforcement proceedings for each incident.

Fireworks Event Permits cost $30. Permit applications must be made in person by Tuesday, Oct. 31 by 3:00 pm at the Tax Office at Port Coquitlam City Hall, 2580 Shaughnessy St., between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Call 604.927.5466 or email fire@portcoquitlam.ca for more information about these permits.

Safe Fireworks Handling Tips

• Teach children that fireworks are not toys, and that if they find fireworks, they should avoid touching them and tell an adult.
• Only adults should discharge fireworks.
• Choose a safe area to discharge fireworks – a bare area of ground away from buildings, overhead structures, trees, vehicles, dry grass and other flammable objects.
• Have a large bucket of water, sand or a garden hose ready.
• Make sure spectators watch from a safe distance.
• Never point or throw fireworks at people, pets, cars or buildings.
• Never hold fireworks in your hand while lighting them.
• Dispose of spent fireworks in a container of water.

Halloween Safety Tips

• Purchase flame-resistant costumes. When making a costume, keep fire safety in mind.
• Avoid costumes with long trailing pieces that may easily ignite if near a candle.
• Do not let children carry a candle as a light source or as part of a costume. Provide a flashlight instead.
• Educate children to stay clear of open flames and other heat sources. Ensure they know how to STOP immediately, DROP to the ground and ROLL repeatedly to extinguish flames, should their costume catch fire.
• Avoid decorating with candles. Consider flameless LED tealights instead for a similar flickering effect.
• Ensure that combustible decorations such as crepe paper, cornstalks and dried flowers are kept well away from heat sources. Keep all exits clear of decorations.
• Purchase and install working smoke alarms, and practice home escape plans.
• Ensure all children in your home know the location of the exits in case of emergency.

For more information about Halloween and fireworks safety, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/fire.

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CONTACT:
Randy Minaker
Deputy Fire Chief
Port Coquitlam Fire & Emergency Services
tel.: 604.927.5340
email: minakerr@portcoquitlam.ca