City of Surrey By-Law Enforcement officers have been busy targeting illegal sales of fireworks and firecrackers.
During the Halloween season first responders see a spike in the number of fireworks related injuries and structure fires.
In an effort to reduce these types of incidents, approximately $18,000.00 in illegal fireworks and firecrackers have been seized and $6,000.00 in fines have been issued.
The selling of fireworks is prohibited in the City of Surrey. In an effort to circumvent this, some vendors have resorted to “travelling” firework sales in an effort to unload their product.
The “travelling” fireworks sales people advertise via social media and meet with clients to make the sale.
Often the customer turns out to be a City of Surrey By-Law Enforcement officer who then promptly issues the vendor fines of up to $1000. When appropriate, Surrey RCMP will also issue a Violation Ticket under the Explosives Act.
Fireworks in the City of Surrey are not permitted to be discharged. The only exception is with a Fire Department permit and Federal fireworks supervisor certificate.
Since the City implemented the Fireworks By-Law in 2005 there has been a dramatic decrease in fires caused by fireworks.
In 2004, there was a high of 40 fireworks related fires, but since the introduction of the Fireworks By-Law there has been only an average of 3 fireworks related fires per year.
