It’s that time of the year when California officials warn residents to keep the fireworks displays to the professionals to ensure everyone has a safe Independence Day.
California has a zero-tolerance policy for the sale and use of illegal fireworks, as stated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection on its website.
“It is illegal to sell, transport, or use fireworks that do not carry the “Safe and Sane” seal, and it is illegal to possess or use any fireworks in a community where they are not permitted,” the website said. “If convicted, a violator could be fined up to $50,000, be sent to jail for up to one year, or both.”
California considers skyrockets, aerial shells, firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles as illegal fireworks.
Some cities across the state, like Los Angeles, Orange, San Clemente and San Diego, don’t allow residents to ignite personal fireworks, even if they bear the “safe and sane” seal.
The phrase “safe and sane” fireworks means that “the fireworks are less likely to cause injury and generally means that fireworks do not explode or fly.”
Fountains, sparklers, smokeballs, snake-type fireworks, ground-spinning fireworks and pinwheels usually fall under the “safe and sane” fireworks umbrella.
Even so, officials still consider those fireworks dangerous.
While illegal fireworks aren’t allowed statewide, these Southern California cities allow “safe and sane” fireworks.
Los Angeles County
- Baldwin Park
- Bellflower
- Carson
- Commerce
- Compton
- Cudahy
- Downey
- Hawthorne
- Huntington Park
- Irwindale
- La Mirada
- La Puente
- Lakewood
- Monterey Park
- Rosemead
- Sante Fe Springs
- South El Monte
- South Gate
- Alhambra
- Azusa
- El Monte
- Gardena
- Hawaiian Gardens
- Inglewood
- Lawndale
- Lynwood
- Maywood
- Montebello
- Norwalk
- Palmdale
- Paramount
- Pico Rivera
- South El Monte
- Temple City
- Vernon
- Industry
Orange County
- Anaheim
- Buena Park
- Costa Mesa
- Fullerton
- Huntington Beach
- Stanton
- Westminster
- Garden Grove
- Santa Ana
- Villa Park
Riverside County
- Desert Hot Springs
- Coachella
- Indio
San Bernardino
- Barstow
- Fontana
- Grand Terrace
- Needles
- San Bernardino
- Adelanto
- Chino
- Colton
- Rialto
Imperial
- Brawley
- Calexico
- El Centro
- Holtville
- Imperial
The complete list can be viewed here.