As the July 4 holiday approaches, the Santa Monica Fire and Police Departments are reminding residents that all types of fireworks are illegal in the City of Santa Monica. This includes so-called "safe and sane" fireworks, which may not be used in Santa Monica even if they are legal in the city in which they are purchased.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Fire Prevention Association there were eight deaths and an estimated 11,400 consumers who sustained injuries related to fireworks in 2013. This is an increase from 8,700 injuries in 2012. 65 percent, or 7,400, of the injuries in 2013 occurred in the 30 days surrounding July 4.
Last year, children younger than age 5 experienced a higher estimated per capita injury rate than any other age group. According to firefighters, past reports indicate that consumers sometimes feel comfortable handing children fireworks devices perceived to be less powerful, such as sparklers and bottle rockets. In 2013, sparklers and rockets accounted for more than 40 percent of all estimated injuries.
Santa Monicans looking for the patriotic spirit without the explosives can visit the Pacific Park Ferris Wheel. The Ferris wheel's 160,000 LED lights will feature custom programmed, computer generated lighting entertainment of red, white and blue colors, patterns and lights. The show will be visible from sunset (about 8:09 p.m.) to 12:30 a.m.
The public is urged to avoid the use of consumer fireworks and instead, to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals. Going to a professional fireworks show is truly the safest way to celebrate the 4th of July. Local firefighters provided the following list of show locations and schedules for 2014 fireworks shows in the Los Angeles County area.
July 4
Alhambra, Almansor Park, 800 S. Almansor Ave, admission is free.
Mark your calendar for Fourth of July fireworks extravganza at Almansor Park.
Arrive early for the best parking opportunities and bring your own picnic basket or purchase food from various Youth Group food vendors. See the show from anywhere in the park - fireworks begin at 9 p.m. http://www.cityofalhambra.org.
Artesia, Artesia Park, 1200 South Street, 9 p.m.
Calabasas, Calabasas High School, 22855 W. Mulholland Hwy., 9 p.m.
Cerritos, Cerritos High School, 12500 E. 183rd Street, 9 p.m.
Claremont, Pomona College Campus, 333 North College Way, 9 p.m.
Commerce, Rosewood Park (parking lot of youth center), 2535 Commerce Way, 9 p.m.
Crescenta Valley, Crescenta Valley High School, 2900 Community Ave., La Crescenta-Montrose, 9 p.m.
Culver City, West Los Angeles College, 9000 Overland Ave., 9 p.m.
Diamond Bar, Lorbeer Middle School, 501 S Diamond Bar Blvd., 9 p.m.
Gardena, Rowley Park, 13220 South Van Ness Ave., 9 p.m.
Huntington Park, Salt Lake Park, 6550 Miles Ave., 9 p.m.
La Habra, La Habra High School, 801 Highlander Ave., 9 p.m.
Los Angeles, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 3911 S. Figueroa St., outside stadium on east side.
Los Angeles, Van Ness Park, 5720 2nd Ave.
Marina Del Rey, barges off beaches and harbor near Balona Creek, 9 p.m.
Pacific Palisades, Palisades Charter High School, 15777 Bowdoin Street, entertainment 6:30 p.m., fireworks 9 p.m.
Pico Rivera, El Rancho High School, 6501 Passons Blvd., 9 p.m.
Pomona, It's the 27th annual fireworks spectacular at Fairplex, monster trucks and Moto X extreme get the crowd, cheering and the stupendous fireworks are the grand finale, the nighttime programming has been a crowd-pleaser since its inception in 2002, it puts the boom in KABOOM! Monster truck and big air freestyle motocross 8 p.m., 9:20 p.m. - one of the largest and most spectacular fireworks shows in California presented by Pyro Spectaculars by Souza, the premier theme party in the U.S.A. www.fairplex.com/Kaboom/
Porter Ranch, Shepherd of the Hills Church, 19700 Rinaldi St.
Rosemead, Rosemead Park, 9200 Mission Ave. 9 p.m.
San Pedro, Cabrillo Beach Booster, Barge at Los Angeles Harbor, 3800 Stephen White Way.
Santa Clarita, Valencia Town Center (off top of parking structure), 26735 Circle Drive, Valencia, 9 p.m.
South El Monte, South El Monte High School, 1001 N. Durfee Ave., 9 p.m.
South Gate, South Gate Park, 9615 Pinehurst Ave., Corner of Pinehurst and Tweedy, 9 p.m.
Stevenson Ranch, Drive Richard Rioux Memorial Park, 26233 Faulkner Drive, 9 p.m.
Valencia, Magic Mountain, 7-4 thru 7-6, 9 p.m.
Walnut, Walnut High School, 21201 La Puente Road, 9 p.m.
Woodland Hills, Warner Ranch Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
July 5
Avalon/Catalina, Isthmus Cove - barge, 9 p.m.
Lancaster, Lancaster Municipal Stadium, 2400 West Avenue I, 6:30 p.m.
