Be safe on July 4 and avoid injuries

Beginning June 30 through July 4, safe and sane fireworks will be available for sale and for use in the city of Costa Mesa.

While the city encourages residents to purchase the legal fireworks, which supports local non-profit groups, there will be zero tolerance for anyone caught using the illegal versions. Sale of a illegal fireworks in California is a felony and lighting them is a misdemeanor. Click here for more information in English and Spanish on fireworks.

We urge residents to follow these safety tips provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission when using legal fireworks:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.