Staff
The town will amend its bylaw prohibiting fireworks to include lanterns that use an open flame to float through the air.
In a report from Fire Chief/CEMC Tyler Moffitt approved by council Monday night, he noted that once lit and launched into the air, flying lanterns (also know as sky lanterns, celebration lanterns, wish lanterns, event lanterns, Chinese lanterns, sky candles, and fire balloons, among other names)–pose “a serious fire risk.”
“These lanterns have the potential to cause significant fire injuries and losses,” Chief Moffitt said.
“Many communities throughout Ontario have banned these extremely dangerous lanterns.”
As such, the town’s Administration and Finance executive committee recommended council amend the definition of “prohibited fireworks” in the relevant bylaw to state the following:
“‘Prohibited firework’ includes but is not limited to sky lanterns, celebration lanterns, wish lanterns, event lanterns, Chinese lanterns, sky candles, fire balloons, or any other similar device.
“As well as cigarette loads, plugs, exploding matches, sparking matches, ammunition for miniature tie clip, cufflink, or key chain pistols, auto alarms or jokers, cherry bombs, M-80 and silver salutes and flash crackers, throw down torpedoes and cracking balls, exploding golf balls, stink bombs, tear gas pens and launchers, party poppers and table bombs, table rockets and bottle sky rockets, fake firecrackers, and other trick devices or practical jokes as included on the most recent list of prohibited fireworks as published from time to time under the act.”
