Despite widespread restrictions on the use of fireworks, there can still be dangerous times around Halloween in Greater Victoria.
In 2015, a man setting off a firework in downtown Victoria on Nov. 2 badly damaged his hand when the blast went awry and caused “life-altering injuries,” said Victoria police Const. Matt Rutherford.
Halloween can also be tough on animals. In 2014, a dog spooked by fireworks ran away from her owner at Willows Beach and was later found on Mary Tod Island, about a half-kilometre swim away.
This year, local police departments are preparing for an early Halloween, with the possibility of pranksters and merry-makers being out and about Friday and Saturday nights, instead of waiting for Halloween’s official arrival on Monday.
Weather could be on the law’s side, though, because Environment Canada is predicting a 60 per cent chance of showers that could dampen prankish notions on Friday and Saturday.
Municipal officials in Victoria and Saanich have sent out a reminder that the use of fireworks is carefully controlled in their jurisdictions. In Saanich, people aged 18 and over can purchase a fireworks permit for $10 and must complete a fireworks-safety course.
In Saanich, fireworks on Halloween can be set off only from 5 to 10 p.m. Discharging fireworks without a permit brings a $200 fine.
Bonfires in Saanich also require a $10 permit and are restricted to Halloween.
The current rules have been in place for a number of years, said Saanich Fire Department Deputy Chief Frank Macdonald.
“Let’s ensure that people can use fireworks safely,” he said. “Since we brought the bylaw into play, the amount of calls we’ve had has really just plummeted.
“Police get some different calls that we don’t get, but our actual responses to people being injured or fires as a result of Halloween and fireworks being discharged have dropped like crazy.”
Macdonald said there were 30 to 40 incidents on some past Halloweens, but now there are just a handful each year.
“I hope everyone has a great time, but safely,” he said.
Saanich police Acting Sgt. Jereme Leslie said the department will have extra officers on duty, as is the case every Halloween.
“We do staff for an anticipated call load over the weekend leading up to Halloween,” he said. “Usually those types of calls for service are noise disturbances.”
Halloween house parties can contribute at least some of the calls, Leslie said.
Like Macdonald, he said recent Halloweens have been easier to handle. “Knock on wood, luckily not too many events have been going on.”
Rutherford said additional officers working Friday and Saturday nights will be over and above the usual late-night “bar watch” patrol.
“We have a full contingent of members working Monday night, as well, for Halloween.”
Fireworks can be discharged in Victoria only with a special permit, and fines for illegal use can range from $200 to $10,000, Rutherford said.
The next Saanich fireworks-safety course takes place today at the fire department from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Call 250-475-5500 or go to saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety.html.
