Updated: Sat Jun. 30 2007 1:26:55 PM

toronto.ctv.ca

Two city councillors are calling for tougher laws on firework sales. Adam Vaughan and Shelley Carroll want the city to crack down on temporary vendors and sales to kids.

The councillors said too many youths are hurting themselves playing with pyrotechnics.

Carroll said another safety issue is vendors who sell fireworks only when they're in high demand.

"The dream is...a different bylaw -- one in which there were no temporary vendors," Councillor Shelley Carroll said at a press conference on Friday.

"(Pyrotechnics) should be sold by reputable professionals who are solely in the fireworks business."

The councillors called for increased vigilance to avoid accidents during the summer when firework use is at its highest.

Incidents involving young people and pyrotechnics in Toronto have caused injuries and property damage in the past.

Earlier this summer, a 12-year-old boy was treated for second-degree burns after he was chased down by three older youths and hit by fireworks downtown.

The incident took place after the suspects threatened the boy. The 12-year-old ran away, but tripped and fell, which gave the attacker the opportunity to light the firecracker, police said.

At one point, a firecracker was also aimed at the victim's head.

Last year, firefighters had to extinguish a burning truck that was being used to sell fireworks in Scarborough.

Police said a group of youths set the vehicle on fire after the vendor refused to sell to them.