Tuesday morning, the City of Santa Clarita and other agencies hosted their annual firework safety press conference to help educate residents about the danger the explosives present. 

The Santa Clarita City Council, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Captain Justin Diez and the Grossman Burn Center came together to discuss the danger of illegal fireworks. 

“With so many fun ways to celebrate this holiday and I urge our residents to be safe this Fourth of July and leave the fireworks to the professionals,” said Santa Clarita Mayor Jason Gibbs 

It is illegal to possess, sell or use fireworks, including those known as ‘Safe and Sane’ such as sparklers, bottle rockets, Roman candles and many other explosives, according to officials with the City of Santa Clarita. 

“While they are labelled safe and sane please do not be misled by the label. They are dangerous,  they are serious and dangerous and can cause severe burns, especially to children,” said Pat Sprangle, assistant chief for the Los Angeles County Fire Department 

Officials encourage residents to enjoy the Fourth of July firework show at the  Westfield Valencia Town Center starting around 9:15 p.m. on Independence Day. 

This year the city of Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station is set to have two full teams of deputy sheriffs for firework suppression in addition to their normal patrol, according to officials. 

The day after the Fourth of July is also particularly challenging as pets often flee due to fear and become lost from the noise of illegal fireworks. 

The tragedies that typically happen yearly happen from smaller fireworks like sparklers, which can burn as hot as a blow torch, added officials. 

During the press conference Tuesday, firefighters demonstrated the effects of what can happen with illegal fireworks. The firefighters showed how easily a shirt, pair of shorts and a phone book could catch fire with sparklers.

Then, the crew took it to the next level and exploded two watermelons using an M100 flash firecracker.

“Last year, a 12-year-old had a sparkler in her hand and what she thought was a smoke bomb in the other hand and lit it on fire and blew off all of her fingers,” said Dr. Matt Young from the Grossman Burn Center. 

If residents need a sheriff’s response they are asked to call (661) 260 – 4000 instead of dialing 9-1-1. 

For more information on local professional fireworks shows in and near Santa Clarita Valley or details regarding firework regulations click here.  

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