With the Fourth of July just days away on Saturday, Bakersfield fire officials are urging residents to take extra precautions as fireworks go on sale July 1 and celebrations ramp up across the city.
Bakersfield Fire Department Public Information Officer Alexander Clark said residents should only buy and use fireworks labeled “Safe and Sane,” a seal indicating the fireworks have been tested and approved for family use in California.
“Safe and Sane” logo that is listed on every LEGAL firework. If a firework doesn’t have this logo on the box, it is considered illegal. PHOTO: KBFX
“We’ve got a logo here that every single one of these has the logo, it says Safe and Sane,” Clark said. He warned against using fireworks that leave the ground, explode or shoot off, saying those are the types that can lead to fires and injuries.
Clark said Bakersfield sees “numerous houses and fields that catch fire” each year, along with injuries including burns to children. He encouraged residents looking for bigger fireworks displays to attend a public show instead, including the Fourth of July show at Riverwalk on Friday.
For those using legal fireworks at home, Clark recommended keeping water nearby, watching children closely and having a plan in case something goes wrong. He suggested keeping a hose close and properly disposing of used fireworks.
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“After the fireworks are out, don’t throw ’em in your trash can right away,” Clark said. “Leave ’em, let ’em go out, put a little water on ’em, and then you can throw ’em away.”
Officials also warned that illegal fireworks can bring steep penalties. Clark said there is a $1,000 fine within the city or the county, and he noted that property owners can be cited even if someone else is setting off the fireworks.
“If we can identify the house that it is, then administrative citation or fine of $1,000 will be sent to the property owner,” Clark said, adding that renters should be aware that the fine can still go to the property owner.
Chief Stratton said public safety concerns increase during the holiday weekend, with heavy call volume and additional risks tied to impaired driving, disturbances and illegal fireworks.
“You know, there’s several calls that are coming in each night,” Stratton said, adding that it “really gets busy on the third and it peaks on the fourth.”
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Stratton said residents should expect increased enforcement throughout the weekend, including additional officers focused on traffic enforcement and disturbances. He also said a task force involving the Bakersfield Police Department, Bakersfield Fire Department, Kern County Sheriff’s Office and Kern County Fire Department will work to curb aerial fireworks.
Residents can report illegal fireworks through a link on the Bakersfield Fire Department website, Clark said.