Public Safety

Be Safe: Leave Fireworks to the Pros

Reading Time: < 1 minute

While fireworks are a spectacular salute to Independence Day, they can also cause injuries and spark fires.

Sheriff’s explosives experts are reminding the public that it’s dangerous and illegal to possess, make, use or transport fireworks anywhere in the county. The only exception is for permitted professionals.

Illegal fireworks include sky rockets, bottle rockets, Roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers, and other types that explode, go up into the air, or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner. Scofflaws could be fined up to $50,000 and sent to jail for up to a year. Fines can be increased if the fireworks injure someone, start a fire or damage property.

Hundreds of pounds of illegal fireworks are confiscated in San Diego County every year and the Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit must then safely dispose of the fireworks by setting them off underground.

According to a 2014 Fireworks Annual report, 10,500 people were treated in hospitals across the United States for firework injuries, which included burns, cuts, amputations, and blindness. Eleven people died as a result of firework injuries. Most of those deaths and injuries happened in a month-long period around the Fourth of July. The report is compiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Yvette Urrea Moe is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact