St. Catharines Fire Services encouraging residents to have a fire safe long weekend
Back to SearchAs the summer season’s first long weekend approaches St. Catharines Fire Services wants residents to be extra cautious when it comes to fire safety.
Barbecue safety is always important throughout the year, but for those residents dusting off their barbecues for the first time this season, it is important to undertake an initial three-step safety check of the grill by:
- Cleaning the burner ports with a pipe cleaner or wire, ensuring they are free of rust, dust, dirt, spider webs and other debris
- Checking the hose leading from the fuel supply to the burners and replacing it if cracked or damaged
- Testing for leaks by applying a solution of half water and half dish soap to the fuel and hose connections. If bubbles appear residents should tighten the connections and/or replace damaged parts before re-testing
For more information on barbecue safety please visit stcatharines.ca/BBQs.
Similar to last year, with public and private gatherings still prohibited under current Provincial Stay-at-Home orders, St. Catharines Fire Services has suspended the issuance of firework sales permits leading up to the Victoria Day weekend in the city to discourage gatherings and fires.
Residents are reminded that fireworks are only permitted to be set off on select days under the City’s firework by-law, including Victoria Day.
St. Catharine’s Fire strongly discourages the use of fireworks during the ongoing State of Emergency. For more information on firework safety and by-laws please visit stcatharines.ca/Fireworks.
Residents are also reminded that outdoor fires are not permitted under the City’s Open-Air Burning By-law in the urban area. Failure to comply with the City’s Open-Air Burning By-law could result in a fee of $268. Beyond this minimum fee, further charges may be applied, and St. Catharines Fire Services may also proceed with prosecution against the owner for contravening the Ontario Fire Code for conducting unapproved open air burning. More information on the by-law can be found at stcatharines.ca/BackyardFires.
“We recognize how important it is for residents to celebrate the traditions of the long weekend,” said Chief Jeff McCormick. “And while COVID-19 has impacted all our lives, there is still the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors safely for ourselves and our families. Most importantly during this weekend I urge all residents to ensure that they are protected with properly installed and operating smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.”
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