Fireworks Have Consequences.
Fireworks kill on average 40 people per year. More than 3,000 people are hospitalized.
More than half of those victims are children.
There are many other reasons to avoid the personal use of fireworks, including:
• Our patriotic veterans may have bad combat-related flashbacks
• Our pets will be terrified, and many run away, often never being reunited with their families
• Older adults will be frightened and not know how to “turn the noise off”
• Babies and small children will be terrified and the noise will hurt their ears
• 1,300 homes burn as a result of fireworks (annual average)
• 300 vehicles burn as a result of fireworks (annual average)
STATE LAWS
It’s not just in Los Angeles that fireworks are illegal.
FIREWORKS: Under California Health and Safety Code Fireworks Penalties, Section 12700 states, “any person who violates any provision of the State Fireworks laws or Regulations is guilty of a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not less than $500, but not to exceed $1,000 by imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or both.”
DANGEROUS FIREWORKS: Under California Health and Safety Code Fireworks Penalties, Section 12700(B) states, “a person in possession of unaltered dangerous fireworks in violation of the State Fireworks Law is punishable as a misdemeanor or a public offense with fines ranging from $500 to more than $50,000, depending on the gross weight of unaltered dangerous fireworks in possession.”
LOCAL LAWS IN LOS ANGELES
From Los Angeles Police Department:
All fireworks are illegal in the City of Los Angeles, SEC. 57.55.01(A) Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC). It shall be unlawful for any person to use, give, possess, sell or discharge any fireworks. Fireworks are considered explosive devices, and they are extremely dangerous. Every year numerous children and adults are injured or burned as a result of playing with fireworks.
If you have questions about enforcement or other fireworks issues, you may contact the Los Angeles Police Department by calling the following number, toll free:
1-877-ASK-LAPD (1-877-275-5273)
TTY 1-877-275-5273 for the hearing impaired.
Turn in your fireworks
You may turn in your fireworks to any Los Angeles City Fire Department station without penalty.
Report fireworks
You can help. If you have a tip about illegal fireworks in your neighborhood contact https://complaint.lacity.org/Complaint/fireworks/ or
https://www.lacrimestoppers.org/ and submit your information anonymously.
Find out about the law on fireworks and create your own lawn sign: https://www.mysafela.org/fireworks-safety/
You can also call the non-emergency number 877-ASK-LAPD (877-275-5273).
