Fireworks
Any item that explodes, rises in the air or moves about the ground or any fireworks which is not approved and labeled “Safe and Sane” by the State Fire Marshal, ARE ILLEGAL in California. Ilegal fireworks must not be used and are dangerous.
                                                             




Safe and Sane Fireworks

Look for a manufacturer's name on each item or on the box in which they were packaged. Each device should also list instructions for proper use and have cautionary labeling. The manufacturer's name and cautionary labeling are required by law. Fireworks without this information are probably illegal and, therefore, to be avoided.

Fireworks made from mail order kits are illegal and dangerous. NEVER attempt to make your own fireworks or tamper with legal consumer fireworks. Be extremely careful when ordering fireworks over the Internet. If you do use the Internet to obtain fireworks, be sure that you are purchasing from an established, legal vendor. Also, be sure to know all of the local laws concerning the use of fireworks in your state before ordering any items.

Use only Safe and Sane which are registered with the California State Fire Marshall.

  • Always read directions and use common sense
  • Have an adult present
  • Use outdoors only – away from buildings, vehicles, dry grass and other flammable objects
  • Light one at a time, then move away quickly
  • Keep others at a safe distance
  • Never point or throw fireworks at another person
  • Never alter or take apart
  • Do not give to young children under any circumstances
  • Have a bucket of water handy for emergencies and for dousing misfired and spent fireworks
  • Never attempt to re-light or fix malfunctioning fireworks
There are many precautions that everyone should heed when enjoying fireworks:

  • Always read and follow the directions carefully.
  • Only ignite fireworks outside in a well-cleared area.
  • Have a responsible adult supervise all fireworks activities.
  • Light fireworks one item at a time.
  • Have a bucket of water available to dispose of used fireworks.

City of Escalon

Sales of fireworks is illegal in San Joaquin County. However, some cities in San Joaquin County,  including Escalon, allow the sale and use of safe and sane fireworks the week before and including the 4th of July.  Fireworks sales begin at noon on the Wednesday before the 4th of July and run through midnight on July 4th.

Fireworks Safety Tips

Fireworks can cause amputations, blinding, severe burns or death. Fireworks injured about 11,000 Americans last year, and about half of those injured were younger than 15. Improper use of fireworks or setting off illegal fireworks can cause blinding, amputations, severe burns or death.Fireworks are inherently dangerous!

Most victims of fireworks-related injuries have small burns on their arms and legs, or eye injuries. Each year in the United States, approximately 2,400 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for eye injuries caused by fireworks. Twenty-five percent of those injuries result in permanent vision loss or blindness. Eye injuries happen in less than a second but often cause lifelong visual impairment.

Here are tips to avoid injuries:

  • Never allow children to play with fireworks. About half of those injured are under age 15.

  • Read and follow all fireworks warnings and instructions.

  • Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

  • Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.

  • Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of an accident or fire.

  • Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface.
  • Fireworks should be lit away from houses, dry leaves and flammable materials.

  • Do not use bottle rockets. They are the most dangerous type of fireworks by far because they fly erratically, frequently injuring bystanders. Bottle rockets cause 67 percent of all fireworks eye injuries. Firecrackers cause 7 percent of eye injuries and Roman candles cause 4 percent.

  • Protect your eyes with safety glasses or safety goggles. Regular prescription glasses, sunglasses or contact lenses provide little  or no protection and can actually contribute to an injury.

  • Never put fireworks in glass bottles, tin cans or clay pots because these objects can shatter and cause eye injuries.
  • Always read and follow label directions.

  • Have an adult present.

  • Buy from reliable sellers.

  • Use outdoors only.

  • Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).

  • Never experiment or make your own fireworks.

  • Light only one firework at a time.

  • Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).

  • Never give fireworks to small children.

  • If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.

  • Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trashcan.

  • Never throw or point fireworks at other people.

  • Never carry fireworks in your pocket.

  • Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.

  • The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.

  • Stay away from illegal explosives.










Illegal Explosives

Illegal explosives have been outlawed by federal law since 1966. The laws against such dangerous devices are enforced by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), and the mere possession of such items can result in your being federally prosecuted with substantial monetary penalties and jail time attached to a conviction. In addition to the criminal aspect of possession of such items, they are very dangerous, and you subject yourself and those around you to severe injury if you use these items.

For instance, one of the standards enforced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is called the "fuse burn time" standard. The fuses on the fireworks products must burn a minimum of three (3) seconds and a maximum of nine (9) seconds. Imagine the recipe for disaster that presents itself when you have an illegal explosive like an M-80 or Cherry Bomb with much more pyrotechnic charge than is permitted by law coupled with a fuse that doesn't burn the minimum three (3) seconds. You may be presented with a situation that will not allow you enough time to light the illegal explosive and get it away from you. That is how people get fingers blown off and sustain even worse injuries.

Illegal explosives are not fireworks. They can contain hundreds times more pyrotechnic loading than the legal firecrackers. For instance, by definition and federal law, a legal firecracker can contain no more than 50 milligrams of pyrotechnic composition (The American Pyrotechnics Association compares this in size to approximately half the size of a regular aspirin).

Compare this to what is commonly referred to as a M-80, which contains approximately 7 grams of powder, about 140 times the legal limit. M-100s contain about 20 grams of powder, about 400 times the legal limit. Other unsafe items include cherry bombs and sparkler bombs.

The illegal explosives are easy to recognize, because they will be somewhat primitive in their appearance and will have no labeling or warnings on them at all. Warning labels are required on all fireworks products by federal law. If you become aware of any person selling or using these illegal explosives, please call the ATF Hot Line to report this illegal activity at: 1-888-ATF-BOMB.


San Joaquin County Fire Chiefs Association
c/o Escalon Fire District
1749 Coley Ave
Escalon, CA. 95320

PRESS RELEASE

"All Fireworks are illegal in unincorporated areas of San Joaquin County "

The San Joaquin County Fire Chiefs Association would like to remind everyone that, in the unincorporated areas of San Joaquin County, all fire works, whether "safe and sane" or not, are illegal. You may be prosecuted if you posses, use, and or sell any fireworks. Fireworks that fly, explode, or fly and explode carry an even more serious charge. You could be prosecuted for possessing and using an explosive device.

If a fire is caused due to the use of any fireworks the person or persons responsible for the fire are liable for the cost of extinguishing the fire and for any injuries and loss of property caused by the fire. They may also have criminal charges brought against them.

In all cities within San Joaquin County  "safe and sane" fireworks are legal to purchase, possess, and use. THEY ARE NOT LEGAL IN THE UNICORPORATED AREAS OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, To report anyone using illegal fire works call 911.