Safe And Sane Fireworks Safety Tips For The Southland

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — There are ten cities in Orange County that allow and sell fireworks considered "safe and sane."

Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Stanton, Westminster, and Villa Park are all considered "approved" for selling and setting off the legal fireworks.

Residents of Orange County are expected to follow the rules of each city, and not set fireworks off in non-approved towns. If they are shot off in the non-approved cities, residents can expect a hefty fine.

Safe and Sane describes fireworks that "do not have aerial effects or explode," the company that manufactures them says. Those include sparklers, snaps, smoke balls, fountains, snakes, and wheels in some cases.

Commander Darin Upstill of the Westminster Police Department, together with Fire Captain Tony Bommarito, discussed the safety and legality of properly launching "safe and sane" fireworks.

• Safe and Sane fireworks can only be discharged on July 4th between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.
• Make sure your display area is 20-feet away from your audience and completely clear of debris or combustible items.
• Use a piece of sheet rock or drywall underneath your launch area to save the pavement.
• Use a water source to make sure your discharged firework is extinguished, properly.
• If you do get burned, use clean, cool water to cool the skin and seek immediate medical attention.

Remember, a sparkler burns at 12,000 degrees. That's a little bit hotter than your 500-degree barbecue.

"A fire can quickly spread and engulf a structure or field," Bommarito said. "Never set off a firework around anything combustible."