Rick Stiebel/News staff
The Colwood and Langford fire departments are conducting fireworks safety courses with an eye to ensuring the upcoming season of ghosts, goblins and things that go bang in the night is a safe one.
Langford Fire Rescue is hosting a free fireworks awareness safety course on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. at fire station 1 at 2625 Peatt Rd. Colwood Fire Rescue’s fireworks awareness safety course takes place Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at Colwood City Hall at 3300 Wishart Rd., while the course in View Royal is at the Public Safety Building in the main fire hall at 333 Island Hwy. on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m.
Colwood, Langford, View Royal and the Highlands have all had fireworks bylaws in place for a number of years that regulate the sale, possession and discharge of fireworks. The bylaws are in effect every day, 24 hours a day throughout the entire year.
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Residents and visitors to those communities should be aware that a permit is required to possess or discharge fireworks, and permits are only issued to people 18 years of age or older, said Capt. Scott Abrahamson, fire inspector for Colwood Fire Rescue. “Halloween is an excellent time of year to spend with your family and friends. Make sure you don’t spend it in the hospital due to injuries from fireworks.”
All sales of fireworks are prohibited, and consumer fireworks events are restricted to between 5 and 10 p.m. on Oct. 31. Completion of the fireworks awareness safety course is required to obtain a consumer, or family permit. The cost for permits may vary from municipality to municipality.
Highlands Deputy Fire Chief Gregg Fletcher said anyone in the Highlands or surrounding area is encouraged to attend the safety courses in View Royal,Langford or Colwood.
Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop said Council has recently approved a bylaw that prohibits all fireworks throughout the year, except on Halloween and New Year’s Eve.
