What to know before setting off Diwali fireworks in Brampton

The Diwali festival of lights starts on Monday and Brampton residents planning to celebrate with fireworks should brush up on City rules to avoid any fines while getting in the festive mood.

Diwali is a religious and cultural festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, and happens to be on Monday, Oct. 24 this year – the same day municipal elections will be held in Brampton and communities across Ontario.

There are only four days per year when the city allows short-range fireworks to be set off on private property in Brampton without a permit – Diwali, Victoria Day, Canada Day and New Year’s Eve.

While no permits are required to set off fireworks on Diwali, there is a ban on using fireworks on sidewalks, streets, within city parks, school yards or any other public area in Brampton.

Brampton is also the only municipality in Ontario that restricts fireworks based on height, outlawing any displays that do not travel more than 3 metres from the point of ignition.

Brampton bylaw officers received more than 650 calls related to fireworks during Diwali last year and more than 750 calls in all of 2021 – that’s more fireworks complaints than Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton combined.

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For more information on the City of Brampton’s fireworks rules and bylaws visit www.Brampton.ca, and for more information on the Brampton municipal election visit www.Brampton.ca/bramptonvotes.

Here’s what you need to know about purchasing fireworks in Brampton and tips from the City to make sure your pyrotechnic displays go off safely:

Buying fireworks and preparing for safety

• Buy from a City-licensed vendor. They have to undergo training every year with the City and their stores are inspected to ensure that fireworks are stored correctly for everyone’s safety.
• You may be asked to provide ID when buying fireworks in Brampton, to verify that you are 18 years of age or older.
• When vendors complete the training and are licensed, their store location will be listed on this page. If you do not see a list, it means that no vendors applied or that no licences were issued.
• After buying the fireworks, keep them in a cool, dry, ventilated place and in a locked container, away from children.
• If you have vehicles on your driveway, move them into the garage or on the street (ensuring that you abide by all relevant parking by-laws). This way, you will have a clear space on your driveway to use for short-range fireworks.
• Check the weather forecast. If it is going to be windy, do not use fireworks. It’s risky and could cause the spark to spread faster.
• Keep our family and neighbours safe by ensuring that all unused fireworks and all debris are removed.

Using fireworks safely

• Keep a pail of water handy to put out fireworks and used sparklers.
• If you are under 18, do not use fireworks without adult supervision.
• Read all instructions on the fireworks and plan the order of firing before you begin.
• Do not light a firework or hold a lit firework in your hand other than a sparkler.
• Wait at least 30 minutes before approaching a firework that did not discharge.
• Never try to fix fireworks that are defective.
• Light carefully, always light the fuse at its tip.
• Use a good firing base, such as pails or boxes filled with earth or sand.
• Bury fireworks half their length if they have no standing base, unless the labelling on the fireworks directs otherwise. Set them at a 10° angle, pointing away from people.
• Spectators must be at the safe distance specified on the fireworks’ label.
• Keep used fireworks (including debris) in a pail of water, allow it to cool fully before disposal.
• If you parked your car on the street to make space on your driveway, be sure not to park for more than three hours, and also be sure to avoid parking within 3 metres of fire hydrants.

Fines for discharging, selling or possessing fireworks without a permit in Brampton comes with fines from the city between $250 to $350, or Court imposed fines ranging from $500 to $5,000.