Canada Day

The Approach Canada Day fireworks shows with extreme caution, experts warn

For Fort Saskatchewan Fire Chief James Clark, Canada Day marks anniversary of a terrible fireworks explosion that blew off 5 fingers on his left hand along with the thumb and index finger on his right.

On July 1, 1997 Clark, who was a volunteer firefighter at the time, was helping set off fireworks at Turner Park when 1 exploded prematurely.

It would take him a year and endless hours of physical therapy to get back to work full time. Opening a can of pop or grabbing a coffee on his own became huge accomplishments. The incident turned his life around, he said.

Clark was using professional grade fireworks that day but, he said family fireworks are just as dangerous. No matter how much preparatory work you do, things can still go wrong. Clark himself had done the Canada Day fireworks show several time before the accident.

Adam Loria, public education officer with Emergency Medical Services in Calgary, said fireworks injuries don’t happen often, but when they do, they can be quite severe.

“I can almost guarantee that we have seen from one end of the spectrum to another,” he said.

Emergency services and the fire department recommend people who have their own fireworks show stay safe by wearing safety glasses, gloves, flame-retardant clothing, ear covers and by having a water source nearby. Clark was clad head to toe in his firefighter’s gear when he was injured.

It’s important to read the instructions on the device. Also, they said to make sure that the nearby grass too dry and it isn’t too windy.

John Adria, owner of Uncle John’s Fireworks, expects fewer fireworks will be set off by the public on Canada Day because of stricter screening process for permit applicants.

A firework permit is needed to legally buy the explosive devices. This year, the process of acquiring a permit changed. Edmontonians seeking permits now have to go through a fire prevention officer. As a result, the Edmonton Fire Department has reduced the number of fire halls issuing fireworks permits to 5 from 25. Also, permits could be picked up at any time of day, but now are available only between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“We wanted to get a better control on how they’re being issued,” assistant fire marshal Rusty Foerger.

In the past “permits would be given to people and then they were shooting off at public spaces like playgrounds and schools. That is not what we’re giving permits for,” he said.

Since the switch, Adria said he has seen some customers who haven’t been able to find the time to get a permit.

Drew Tannahill, who has been setting off fireworks for years, said the permit form was the same and he didn’t receive any extra guidance. The only difference was the location and the hours he could pick up the permit.

“For myself, it was no more difficult,” he said.

Foerger said there is a more stringent screening process in place and he hopes it keeps Edmontonians safer.

“We have been watching each year more and more fireworks being sold and shot off in all sorts of dangerous and unwarranted ways and we want to get on top of that,” he said.

Clark said he thinks people should leave fireworks up to the professionals like those working at Kinsmen Park on Canada Day.

“If you’re going to do it for a little family function or something like that, is the benefit of what you are going to look at for that couple seconds up in the sky worth the risk that could last a lifetime? Or do you go out to a professionally done show where you become a spectator and get to sit back and enjoy it?”