Mayor Sets Off Campaign Against Illegal Fireworks

Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley launched a multimedia campaign Friday to drive home the message that fireworks are illegal, can cause fires and maim both users and innocent victims.

“Fireworks of all types continue to be responsible for tragically disfiguring injuries and extensive losses in property damage,” Bradley said. He urged residents to attend one of the 50 professional fireworks displays throughout the area July 4 rather than celebrate the holiday with illegal fireworks. Since the city began its yearly campaigns against fireworks in 1982, there has been a 65% reduction in injuries and property damage, Fire Chief Donald Manning said.

To persuade people that the danger continues, the department hired a special effects team from “Stunts Are Us” to show how easily a sparkler thrown on a wood roof or in dry brush can ignite a raging fire.