Putting on your own fireworks show this weekend? Here's what you need to know

If you want to see fireworks this weekend but want to avoid the crowds at Parliament Hill, your backyard might be the best bet.

Two of the most common types of fireworks available to consumers are the roman candle and the cake firework.

Roman candles are the long, cylindrical fireworks that shoot balls of colour into the sky, usually with multiple shots and accompanied by a crackling sound at the base. They are often buried in sand or dirt before being lit.

Cake fireworks, also known as multiple tube fireworks, are the bigger of the two. Cakes are made up of a series of roman candles and aerial shells (sometimes both) that are connected by one fuse. They can last for a few seconds, or if they're really big, up to several minutes.

Fireworks are considered low-class explosives, so putting on a display at home has its potential hazards.

CBC News spoke to Rachel Robbins, a fireworks inspector with Natural Resources Canada about how you can light up the sky safely.

Here's what you need to know.

Find a suitable location

"The first thing is to make sure that your space is appropriate for the fireworks. So looking at a roman candle, they shoot 40 metres up in the sky. So you really need a big backyard for them. So make sure you have that," said Robbins.

Of course, not everyone has their own backyard. Robbins recommends asking a friend with a big backyard if they might be willing to host. Cottages and farms are also good options.

Read the instructions

It may sound like a no-brainer, but it's important to read the instructions on the various fireworks you buy. 

"Have a look at the instructions and figure out what kind of equipment you need to set it up safely," said Robbins. "So roman candle, for instance, it says to bury half in a bucket of sand."

Robbins also suggests preparing everything you need for the festivities before it gets dark. That's to ensure that you have everything you need and are all set before you light the first fuse.

Put the spent fireworks in a bucket of water 

After your successful show, the safety work is not quite done.

"Once you've fired everything off, make sure you take the casings that are nice and hot by that point, and put them in a bucket of water."

Spent fireworks can still be hot well after the display is over. Robbins recommends leaving the casings in water for about 30 minutes, after which you can dispose of them in your garbage.

What about the rain?

Surprisingly, the show can still go on even if it's raining.

"There's no problem with the fireworks in the rain," said Robbins. "Just make sure they're protected before you do the show. But the rain won't affect it, in terms of performance, at all."

For more information on consumer fireworks safety, visit the Natural Resources Canada website.