The St. Catharines Fire Service is reminding residents that it is illegal to sell or set off consumer fireworks in the city for the rest of the year.

Residents in St. Catharines were allowed to light consumer fireworks on private property on Victoria Day and Canada Day, including the day before and after the date of the holiday each year.

The city said its fire services received a significant number of complaints related to fireworks over the last month.

“Our main concern here is the safety of our residents, beyond the issues of noise complaints impacting neighbours and pets,” Fire Chief Dave Upper said.

“When people are setting fireworks off, embers and remnants of the fireworks are spreading onto their neighbours’ properties. The embers floating around have damaged roofs and can easily cause a fire.”

The city’s by-law prohibits the selling of consumer fireworks without an approved permit and prohibits setting off fireworks on city property such as parks.

Business owners currently selling fireworks will be ticketed by fire prevention inspectors and property owners may also be ticketed for setting off fireworks illegally in St. Catharines.

People can report any unsafe or inappropriate use of fireworks or vendors selling fireworks without a permit by calling St. Catharines Fire Services at 905 684 4311.