City and county officials, held a press conference and demonstration ahead of Independence Day to remind Santa Clarita residents about the dangers of illegal fireworks and the potential threat to public safety the explosive devices pose.

Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste and Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby led the conference, held at fire station 126 in Valencia, to remind residents as they prepare to enjoy the Fourth of July that fireworks of any kind are illegal in Los Angeles County.

There are safer ways to enjoy the festivities, Weste said.  

“We understand fireworks are part of the celebration,” she said, “but safety should always come first. In addition to fires and injuries, fireworks cause anxiety for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and spook our pets.”

Osby reiterated the threat fireworks pose to the community, especially while Santa Clarita Valley is experiencing hot and dry weather during fire season.

“As a fire chief and firefighters, we do not support fireworks,” he said. “We encourage all citizens to visit professional firework shows to celebrate the Fourth of July.”

Fireworks have caused millions of dollars of damage in the past, Osby said.

“We experienced over $1.3 million in losses last year in structure fires caused by safe and sane fireworks and illegal fireworks,” he said.

Related: Santa Clarita To Celebrate Fourth Of July With Annual Independence Day Parade

The fire chief added that fireworks considered “safe and sane” are still extremely dangerous.

Even ‘sparklers,’ which are thought to be the safest type of firework, burns at two thousand degrees and can cause serious burn injuries.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Chief John Benedict reminded Santa Clarita residents that firework use of any kind in the Los Angeles County punishable by the law.

“We want to wish everyone a safe and happy and more importantly responsible Fourth of July this year,” Benedict said. “I want to let people know, as it’s been said before, here in SCV fireworks are illegal.”

On Fourth of July 2017, sheriff’s deputies responded to 30 fires that were firework related and issued over 400 citations for illegal firework use, according to Benedict.

Dr. Matt Young from the Grossman Burn Center warned about the potential burns and injuries fireworks can cause when used incorrectly.

“July the Fourth should be an exciting and happy day, but for some children we often see tragedies. The Grossman Burn Center will see many burns that are caused by fireworks,” Young said. “The main type of fireworks that cause injuries are bottle rockets or firecrackers, which can cause the loss of a hand.”

Following the conference, LACoFD firefighters conducted a demonstration to show how precarious illegal pyrotechnics are, no matter how small or ‘safe and sane’ they seem.

According to the law, possession or use of illegal fireworks can range from a fine of up to $1,000, to one year in county jail, and parents can be held liable for any damage or injuries caused by their children using fireworks.

Certain products like m-80’s and m-100’s are considered explosives and are a felony to possess, with penalties as high as 16 months in state prison, according to LASD officials.

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