By Khalida Sarwari
South Bay law enforcement officials are reminding residents not to use illegal fireworks and to celebrate Independence Day at one of eight professional displays instead.
Representatives from the Santa Clara County Fire Department, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, San Jose Fire Department, San Jose Police Department, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and NASA’s Ames Research Center held a community event at Vasona Lake County Park on June 27 to discuss the risks and ramifications of using illegal fireworks, which include devastating burns, injuries, fires and even death. Saratoga Vice Mayor Emily Lo was also in attendance.
The public safety officials shared that around 10,000 people typically pour into emergency rooms with fireworks-related injuries every Independence Day. The consequences that land on communities from people using fireworks illegally are manifold, said Deputy Fire Chief John Justice. First, there is the high risk of injury to people who discharge fireworks, as well as to spectators. According to the fire department, the estimated cost of fireworks-related injuries is about $100 million annually.
Even sparklers are unsafe, said Justice, as they burn at almost 1,200 degrees. But, they tend to be popular with families that have small children, putting them potentially at risk for burns to their feet and toes.
“Kids are unfortunately a large population that get injured,” he said.
Jill Sproul, a nurse-manager at Valley Medical Center, said that the hospital tends to receive patients from all over the Bay Area as it is the only burn center in the region. She shared stories from a few years ago about a tattoo artist from San Jose who lost fingers and a 10-year-old boy who lost a portion of his hand.
“It’s something you live with for the rest of your life,” said Justice.
Public safety also takes a hit, as police and fire officials tend to stretch their resources to respond to fires and injuries. With the drought now, the risk of fireworks-related fires is higher, said Justice.
“We are concerned about vegetation fire when illegal fireworks are utilized where they should not be,” he said.
Last year, the board of supervisors amended its fireworks ordinance to include penalties for violators who sell, use, possess or discharge fireworks without a permit. Violating any of California’s fireworks laws may lead to the seizure of the fireworks as well as misdemeanor charges. Violators may face up to a year in county jail and a fine of $350 for the first offense, $700 for the second offense and $1,000 for the third offense.
According to Justice, fireworks of all types are illegal in every city in Santa Clara County with the exception of Gilroy where residents are allowed to buy and use “safe and sane” fireworks–essentially fireworks that do not fly or explode.
He encouraged people to enjoy Independence Day safely by attending a professional display at one of the eight locations in the county instead, such as at Gilroy High School, Milpitas Sports Center, Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center, Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, Central Park Pavilion in Santa Clara and at three venues in San Jose: Discovery Meadow Park, Almaden Lake Park and Municipal Stadium.
Link:
Los Gatos, Saratoga: Fireworks are illegal, and very dangerous, too
