STANTON : Council May Legalize ‘Safe, Sane’ Fireworks

The City Council tonight will consider legalizing “safe and sane” fireworks, and three council members have said they are ready to vote for approval.

All fireworks have been banned in Stanton since residents voted in 1988 not to allow even so-called “safe and sane” fireworks. The state fire marshal regulates the amounts of gunpowder and range of flames from such fireworks.

Orange County Fire Department officials, who provide fire protection services to the city, have condemned “safe and sane” fireworks, saying they can still cause injury to people and property.

But now a majority of the council appears ready to allow the fireworks so that nonprofit organizations can sell them to raise money. Councilmen Harry Dotson and Sal Sapien voted their approval in 1993 and said last month that they plan to do so again.

And Councilman William C. Estrada, who last year said “safe and sane” fireworks might injure children, now says he believes most accidents are caused by illegal fireworks.