It’s a colorful and spectacular salute to our nation's independence. Fireworks, however, can cause injuries and spark fires.
As the Fourth of July approaches, the Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit is reminding San Diegans it's illegal to possess and use fireworks in the county.
It's also illegal to transport fireworks from elsewhere into San Diego County or to make homemade fireworks and explosives.
Hundreds of pounds of illegal fireworks are confiscated in the county each year. Items are collected at various points of entry or dropped off at Sheriff's Stations or Substations, as well as fire and police stations.
For your safety, the Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit routinely dispose of fireworks and other hazardous items.
Under California law, illegal fireworks include sky rockets, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers and other types that explode, go into the air, or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner.
Those convicted of possessing and/or using fireworks could be fined up to $50,000 and sent to prison or jail for up to one year. Fines can be significantly increased depending on the amount of property loss or if human suffering is caused by a fire set.
A Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) study shows eight people were killed and more than 11,000 thousand were injured while handling fireworks across the country in 2013.
Children under the age of five suffered the most fireworks‐related injuries.
Let's leave the fireworks to the professionals. Don't allow children to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be hot or ignited and can explode at any time.
To learn more about the Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit, go to: http://goo.gl/FKF2mI.
