While the trick may be a big part of Halloween festivities, the local fire department is hoping this year will be more about the treats.
The Burnaby fire department’s chief fire prevention officer, Greg Mervin, doesn’t expect Saturday’s Halloween night to be any busier than the past few years in terms of fireworks use. He said there seems to be a decline in fireworks activity, suggesting people are opting for more organized events to attend.
“I think people tend to get more bang for the buck, they’re (fireworks) getting fairly expensive and to see a nice display you have to go to one of these larger events,” Mervin told the NOW.
In the meantime, this week, Mervin said the department will be inspecting the stores allowed to sell fireworks within the city.
The department is looking to make sure the businesses are in compliance with the products and amount they’re allowed to have on hand. He estimated the fire department has approved 25 permits to local retailers to sell fireworks.
If you plan on blowing off a few explosives in celebration of All Hallows’ Eve, you’ll need to know it is illegal to set off fireworks on public property without a permit. However, you are allowed to use fireworks on private property.
The fire department is reminding residents to be careful if they do decide to set off fireworks, suggesting the devices should always be used as directed on the labels, they not be held in hand and they get buried in sand or container.
The fire department is also reminding people not to set off fireworks in windy conditions and to keep a garden hose nearby.
As for the fire department, so far 2015 has been a quieter year for structure fires in Burnaby.
According to a Burnaby Fire Department third quarter update for city council, there have been 189 building fires this year, compared to 319 at the same time last year.
The overall calls for service are pretty close to last year, with 10,421 calls in 2015 compared to 10,647 in 2014.
