Safety Officials Warn of Danger From Fireworks
As residents planned for the Fourth of July, the Los Angeles Fire Department reminded the public Tuesday that fireworks are dangerous, illegal in the city and should be viewed only in organized public displays.
Showing graphic photos of injuries from fireworks accidents, officials announced a 24-hour hotline offering information in English and Spanish on the nearest legal public displays: (213) 626-2871 or (818) 786-5170.
In 1997, 291 fireworks injuries in the state were serious enough to require emergency room care, and Los Angeles County accounted for about a third of those, said Los Angeles City Fire Chief William Bamattre.
Fire officials also warned of the danger of brush fires. Because of wetter rain seasons the previous couple of years and a drier season this year, the fire danger is high, said Battalion Chief Terry Manning.
For the holiday, the department will have community response teams on patrol, with additional staff and a helicopter on standby.
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