The Okotoks Fire Department is reminding residents that Canada Day may be celebration of our nation's birthday but it's not a free for all when it comes to lighting fireworks in town.

Fire Chief Ken Thevenot says leave the fireworks up to the professionals Friday evening.

"We don't use fireworks in our community unless you're certified to use them," he says. "But we're going to be setting some off with the help of pyrotechnics at the Dawgs game against Brooks following it's conclusion."

Thevenot says unless you've got credentials there's no reason to setting them off as they can be dangerous if you're not careful and anything can happen.

"Unless you're a certified person to use them, people do think that they can be safe with them. But unless you're certified and experienced in using fireworks they can also be dangerous to use."

Firework safety is no laughing matter with Thevenot as he's seen plenty of unnecessary injuries caused by negligence when using fireworks without any experience.

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