Vote Yes to Ban Fireworks

Fireworks are an explosive issue that many city council members try to avoid and, failing that, try to throw back to residents for a decision.

In the Nov. 4 general election two more city councils in Orange County are going to the public. Anaheim, where banning fireworks has been a political issue for several years, is offering voters Measure A, which asks residents whether they want to ban the sale and discharge of fireworks within the city except for public displays. Measure O in Yorba Linda is simply an advisory measure, asking essentially the same question. Voters in Anaheim and Yorba Linda should vote an overwhelming yes for banning.

The arguments for and against fireworks bans are well known. Most support for the sale and use of the legal, so-called “safe-and-sane” fireworks comes from the manufacturers and some community organizations that sell the fireworks to raise money.

Most opposition to fireworks, including ours, stems from their inherent threat of injury, death and property damage, damage that often far exceeds the funds raised by local community groups that sell them. And the potential danger most definitely includes the supposedly “safe-and-sane” variety. Fire officials report that in 1985 and 1986 legal fireworks caused more damage in seven Orange County cities than illegal fireworks.

Sparklers are the most popular legal fireworks. Burning at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, they’re also one of the most dangerous. Sparklers cause 30% of all fireworks injuries and numerous fires. A sparkler ignited the largest fire in Tustin’s history, which destroyed a 90-unit apartment building six years ago. And just last July 4, lest Anaheim voters forget, fireworks burned out 94 apartments of a 156-unit complex, causing $2.2 million in damage and leaving hundreds of people homeless.

Cities spend millions of dollars each year to prevent and fight fires. Why then turn around and encourage fires from fireworks?

The Irvine City Council didn’t take the time to put the issue on the ballot. It saw the potential danger and last week, acting in the interest of safety, Irvine banned the sale and use of all fireworks. It was the seventh city in the county to do so. Brea did earlier this year. On Nov. 4, Anaheim and Yorba Linda residents should vote for the ban, too.