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Port Moody Warning: Fireworks Injure Teen
6 Oct
Summary
- A 12-year-old boy was injured by a firework.
- The incident occurred near the Port Moody Recreation Complex.
- Fireworks are prohibited year-round without a permit.
A recent firework incident in Port Moody, British Columbia, has led to a police warning after a 12-year-old boy sustained facial injuries. The boy was taken to the hospital, though his injuries were not life-threatening.
The incident occurred Friday evening near the Port Moody Recreation Complex when a group of youths were setting off fireworks. Police located the injured boy and his friends shortly after. Although determined to be accidental, the youth who discharged the firework was issued a $500 fine.
Police emphasized the dangers of unsupervised firework use, noting that Port Moody bylaws strictly prohibit fireworks year-round unless a permit is obtained. This situation arises during a period when authorities across Metro Vancouver often experience a surge in firework-related calls, particularly before Halloween.
Most municipalities in the Lower Mainland have banned consumer fireworks, permitting them only for controlled professional displays. However, some areas allow limited consumer firework use on Halloween under specific conditions. For instance, the District of North Vancouver permits use on Oct. 31 between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. for those over 19 with a permit. The City of Burnaby also allows low-hazard fireworks for adults on private property on Oct. 31 with consent. New Westminster permits use on Oct. 31 between 4 p.m. and midnight, banning Roman candles. Port Coquitlam allows permitted use until 11 p.m. on Oct. 31 on private property, prohibiting Roman candles, firecrackers, bottle rockets, and screechers. The City of Coquitlam permits fireworks for Halloween and Diwali for users over 19 with a permit, though residential lots often don't meet clearance requirements.
