All Fireworks Are Prohibited Year Round

(including all “Safe & Sane” varieties)  If you see someone playing with fireworks, even if they are the “Safe & Sane” variety, call the Alameda County Sheriffs Department  at 510.667-7721. If a fire develops, call 911 immediately!

City of Hayward and Fairview Fire Protection District officials want to remind residents that ALL fireworks, even the safe and sane variety, are banned in the City of Hayward and the Fairview Fire Protection District. Why? Fireworks can be dangerous, and severe injuries can be caused from fireworks.

An estimated 9,100 people – an average of more than 25 people every day– were treated in emergency departments for injuries sustained from fireworks, and more than half of those injured were children.  More than two of every three fireworks-related injuries occur between June 22 and July 22.

During that time period: 

• More than 4 of every 10 people injured were children under 15 years of age.
• People under twenty sustained more than half (54%) of all injuries from fireworks.
• People actively participating in fireworks–related activities are more frequently and severely injured than bystanders.
• Most injuries result from being too close to fireworks when they explode.

Availability: In spite of federal regulations and varying state and local prohibitions, many types of fireworks are still accessible to the public. Distributors often sell fireworks near state borders, where laws prohibiting sales on either side of the border may differ.  In Alameda County the cities of Newark, Union City, and Dublin still allow sale and use of “Safe and Sane” fireworks.  It is illegal to use these fireworks  anywhere in Alameda County  (which includes FFPD)  other than in those 3 cities.

Any firecracker with more than 50 milligrams of explosive powder and any aerial firework with more than 130 milligrams of flash powder are banned under federal law, as are mail order kits and components designed to build these fireworks. However, 92% of the fireworks injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms involved fireworks that Federal regulations permit consumers to use.

Fireworks type:

Among the various types of fireworks, some of which are sold legally in some states, bottle rockets can fly into peoples’ faces and cause eye injuries or start roof fires; sparklers can ignite clothing. Sparklers burn at more than 1,200°F this is hot enough to cause third degree burns; and firecrackers can injure the hands or face if they explode at close range.

Damage associated with fireworks:

• 19,500-Estimated number of fires caused by fireworks each year.
• These fires resulted in $105 million in direct property damage.
• Younger children often lack the physical coordination to handle fireworks safely.
• There were 1,100 injuries associated with sparklers, many never being reported.
• Sparklers cause 200 injuries to children less than 5 years of age.
• Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they’ll run loose or get injured.

The safest way to prevent fireworks-related injuries and to keep your family protected is to attend fireworks displays and leave the lighting to trained professionals. Don’t allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time. 

You can be fined and face jail-time for using or selling fireworks: 

In the Fairview Fire Protection District Sheriffs may cite individuals for misdemeanor possession of illegal fireworks (which includes “safe and sane” sold in some Cities) , which is punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,000, or by imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year per the California Health and Safety Code. If you are found to be in possession of a sufficient quantity of illegal fireworks, you may be guilty of a felony and punished by a fine up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment in a state prison or county jail. Parents may be held liable for any damages or injuries caused by their children’s use of illegal fireworks.

Also, the California Health and Safety Code §12700 states: It is unlawful for any person to conduct a public firework display without possessing a valid permit for this purpose. Health and Safety Section §12685 states that a person in violation of this provision is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction may be fined up to $50,000 plus jail time.

April 08, 2023 | mikepreston