Fireworks illegal in most of Santa Clara County
With Fourth of July looming, fire and emergency officials in Santa Clara County are sounding the annual warning bell: fireworks are illegal here — and can be dangerous, too.
Except in Gilroy — which allows the “safe and sane” kind — fireworks are prohibited everywhere in the county, and could result in up to a year in jail or $1,000 a fine if you’re caught with them.
Although classified as “safe and sane,” sparklers are the most common reason for Fourth of July injuries — especially for kids, said Captain Ryan Cronin, chief arson investigator for the Santa Clara County Department.
“Kids pick these up because they’re colorful and small — sparks fly, they hit each other with them,” Cronin said. “But they don’t realize that it’s burning metal. They get seriously injured as a result of waving these things around.”
Cronin also noted there was a key difference between fireworks and explosives. Explosives, like M100s, can be equivalent to a quarter stick of dynamite. But even fireworks like bottle and fountain rockets also are considered dangerous.
Cronin says some stores do not realize that these are illegal, or people buy them across state lines. The only fireworks allowed in California are classified as “safe and sane,” and come with a stamp of approval from local fire departments.
Just last week, San Jose police announced the confiscation of more than 2,700 pounds of fireworks and small mortars that are considered explosives — all potentially dangerous.
San Jose Fire Department Chief Curtis Jacobson noted the story of one child who burned his hands and eyes irreparably on the Fourth of July from illegal fireworks.
Jill Sproul of the Santa Clara County Valley Medical Center Burn Unit said every Fourth of July they see burn and blast victims. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, emergency departments across the country will treat hundreds to thousands of people injured from illegal fireworks.
“After working in burn care for 27 years, I can tell you people don’t think it will happen to them,” Sproul said. “As a burn survivor
myself from a gasoline explosion when I was a child, I’m here to tell you that burns do not discriminate and it can happen to you.”
Fireworks can harm more than just people. The Fourth of July is the busiest day for dogs in the shelter, said Santa Clara County Animal Services Official Lisa Jenkins.
“You and I and many people are able to separate in our minds actual warfare and actual devastation from the entertainment that fireworks provide: unfortunately, some of us can’t,” Jenkins said, referring to dogs, who tend to run away from the sound of fireworks.
She recommends staying with your dog for stability and keeping them in a windowless room with white noise.
To avoid potential injuries, Santa Clara County Fire Department Chief Ken Kehmna is urging people to look for public displays to watch fireworks.
“I can’t think of a worse way to spend the holiday than having one of my family or friends being injured using fireworks,” Kehmna explained. “There’s plenty of opportunities to celebrate and plenty of ways to celebrate that aren’t as dangerous.”
For public displays of fireworks, visit the Santa Clara County Fire Department website. To report illegal fireworks in non-emergency cases, dial 408-2992311. Otherwise, residents can report illegal fireworks through the San Jose Government website.