THUNDER BAY -- When it comes to fireworks, closer isn't better.
Pyroboyz owner Bill Groombridge said one of the biggest mistakes people can make when having a fireworks display at parties is thinking that you need to be as close to the action as possible. Keeping at least 150 feet between guests and fireworks is actually the best way to make sure the full display can be seen.
It's also safer.
"The further you are away, the better the show," he said Thursday morning as people were lined up at Groombridge's Arthur Street location to make a last-minute purchase.
Another mistake people make is not making sure the fireworks are firmly on the ground. He suggests gluing the box to a piece of plywood or at least digging a hole in the snow with some weight around it.
"Common sense is the biggest one," he said."If you think it can fall over, it will."
"They're quite powerful so they tend to want to move around."
Safety glasses and not wearing anything you don't want to see ruined by wayward sparks are also suggested.
While some returning customers can spend thousands of dollars, Groombridge said around $100 can make for a nice display. Pyroboyz sells a family fun kit complete with numbered items and a safety sheet for around that price. He'd sold his last one before noon on Thursday.
"It always comes on the last day," Groombridge said of the rush of customers getting ready for New Year's Eve.
