Countywide : Officials Warn About Fireworks Dangers
Fire officials have issued their annual warning about the dangers of playing with fireworks.
Most fireworks, even those labeled “safe and sane,” are outlawed in all but five cities in the county, according to the Orange County Fire Department. Yet each year, firefighters respond to numerous fires and injuries related to the hand-sized explosives.
“This time of the year is very busy for us in terms of prevention,” said Emmy Day, public information officer for the Fire Department. “We live in a desert . . . and there are an awful lot of wood shake shingle roofs (on houses) and dry vegetation that are highly dangerous when combined with fireworks.”
From mid-June to mid-July last year, there were 71 fireworks-related accidents that caused $163,000 in damage, according to a 1993 Fire Department report. There were two minor injuries associated with fireworks and the Independence Day holiday, Day said.
Cities that allow the sale of so-called safe fireworks are Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Buena Park, Santa Ana and Stanton.
Legal fireworks can be identified by the state fire marshal’s seal. Fireworks considered dangerous and illegal are snap caps, sky rockets, sparklers, cherry bombs, M-80s and some others.
For information on Fourth of July fireworks displays in the county, call (714) 834-4532.
The Orange County Fire Department will also be monitoring its fireworks hot line, where people can call to report violators at (714) 538-3501.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
