Hamilton bans home fireworks – including sparklers – until July 4th
- Michael Kras
- 15 May 2020
Looks like Hamiltonians who want to celebrate the long weekend with a bang will have to change their plans, as the city has banned the use of home fireworks – including sparklers – for the holiday weekend amid COVID-19.
City council approved the temporary pandemic ban, which prohibits the sale or home use of fireworks and sparklers, snuffing out potential plans for the Victoria Day long weekend and continuing on to at least July 4th to cover Canada Day celebrations as well.
The sale & discharge of all FIREWORKS in the City of Hamilton is prohibited until July 4, 2020, to:
*Prevent large gatherings
*Reduce potential for fires
*Protect emergency response to focus on COVID-19
*Prevent By-law from having additional businesses to inspect during COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/rbVNL3ZXVO— City of Hamilton (@cityofhamilton) May 15, 2020
Those caught violating the ban will be subject to a fine of $500.
In the interest of discouraging large gatherings, community fireworks displays typically set to go ahead over the celebratory long weekend – including at Bayfront Park or Dundas Driving Park – were also cancelled.
The ban being extended to home fireworks is intended to discourage improper social distancing with large gatherings of neighbours and avoid irresponsible fireworks usage, accidental fires, and non-emergency complaints to local law enforcement.
This new motion, which was approved in an 8-6 vote, hasn’t been met without some controversy. City council itself debated the issue, particularly regarding the seemingly innocuous home usage of sparklers.
Some councillors had mixed feelings about the ban, while others went as far as suggesting further discussion about making the ban permanent down the road.
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