PALMDALE – Dozens of local nonprofit organizations are selling “safe and sane” fireworks at various locations throughout Palmdale, and city officials are asking consumers to use the fireworks safely.
The City of Palmdale’s neighborhood services department offers these important safety tips for residents using “safe and sane” fireworks in legal areas of the City of Palmdale:
- 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 quickly away.
- Keep others at a safe distance.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Never alter or take apart fireworks.
- 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 relight or fix malfunctioning fireworks.
To protect your pet on the Fourth of July, take these precautions:
- Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays.
- Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep your pet company.
- Consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she may experience during fireworks displays.
- Never leave pets outside unattended. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.
- “Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly,” stated Community Safety Supervisor Kelly Long.
“Safe and sane” fireworks bear the official label of the State Fire Marshall. Only ‘safe and sane’ fireworks are allowed in Palmdale city limits, except for the designated “No Fireworks Zone” where even ‘safe and sane’ are illegal.
The ‘No Fireworks Zone’ includes the Anaverde housing development and anywhere south of the California Aqueduct, as well as neighborhoods located on the south side of Rancho Vista Boulevard along the following lines: beginning at the intersection of Rancho Vista Boulevard and 30th Street West, areas south and west of Rancho Vista Boulevard, north to Avenue N-8; south and west of Avenue N-8 from Rancho Vista Boulevard to 55th Street West; west of 55th Street West; and south from 55th Street West to 60th Street West (Godde Hill Road).
“Our Web site, www.cityofpalmdale.org, has an interactive map that allows residents to enter their address so they can see if they live in the ‘No Fireworks Zone’ where ‘safe and sane’ fireworks are not allowed,” Long stated. “Residents may also contact the City’s neighborhood services department at 267-5181 and our staff will assist them.”
Safe and sane fireworks may only be discharged through noon on Sunday, July 5. Discharging fireworks after July 5 will subject the violators to fines.
“Illegal fireworks are not allowed anywhere in Palmdale or in the Los Angeles County portion of the Antelope Valley,” Long stated. “These are the type that explode or shoot up in the air and they are dangerous and cause a real threat to life and property,” she added.
Palmdale Sheriff’s Station issues illegal fireworks warning
Despite numerous warnings and costly penalties, illegal fireworks continue to keep local law enforcement busy each year.
This year, officials are again warning local residents: Celebrating the Fourth of July with illegal fireworks will not be tolerated in the City of Palmdale or in the County of Los Angeles.
“Lighting illegal fireworks can result in significant injuries as well as damage to surrounding properties,” stated Palmdale Community Relations deputy Jodi Wolfe.
Penalties for using illegal fireworks include fines of:
- $2,500 for a first offense,
- $5,000 for a second offense, and
- $10,000 for a third offense.
To find out more information on public fireworks show near you, visit www.safejuly4th.org or call 888-654-FIRE (3473). For questions or concerns contact Deputy Jodi Wolfe at 661-272-2520 or email jewolfe@lasd.org.
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Herb says
Obviously the Palmdale mayor must have been home watching a Capitol 4th on PBS Saturday night. If he went outside he would have thought he was in Baghdad at the start of the Iraqi war. So much for all the ads,robo calls and requests to snitch your neighbors about illegal fireworks..
Mark W. says
I would like to personally thank everyone who ignored City Of Palmdale’s ban on illegal fireworks. July 4th 2015 was by far the best display of illegal fireworks I’ve ever seen over Palmdale.
Anyone that got cited for illegal fireworks were just plain unlucky. There were so many illegal fireworks it was absolutely no way law enforcement could be every where at once.
I can’t wait till next year, good job everyone!
Tim Scott says
I agree, but if next year they were to wrap up by midnight, maybe one AM, I think it would be an improvement.
Herb says
Out in the eastside I think everyone ignored the city. All the ads,robo calls and requests to turn your neighbor did not work.
Mark says
What kind of an Adam Henry agency turns neighbor against neighbor?
The fact is if law enforcement can look the other way on illegal immigration I have no problem looking the other way while my very friendly hardworking reliable neighbors blow off a few illegal fireworks.
COP SUCKS!
Mark says
COP = City of Palmdale
COPS are good, we need more of them.
Tim Scott says
After growing up in Lancaster and living a whole lot of places, I have to say I like Palmdale quite a lot.
But why in the world do you think we need more cops? You can’t drive a mile in Palmdale without seeing a cop car…which will almost certainly be violating the vehicle code. They’re freakin’ EVERYWHERE, like sand fleas on a tropical beach. Why do you think we need more of them?
William says
I suspect the biggest users of fireworks aren’t kids but the same demographic as the majority of rattlesnake bite victims-men between 18 and 35 who have been drinking alcohol.
They never grow up.
Done says
I’m going to celebrate the 4th by burning a Koran and contemplating the complete obliteration of America’s enemies
ExAVResident says
I’m going to celebrate July 4th by burning the flag and a copy of the Patriot Act. This is the appropriate response in the ” Land of the Free” that has 3 million people behind bars and starts 6 TRILLION dollar wars with faked intel but cannot provide healthcare like the rest of the civilized planet.
Mark says
The best illegal fireworks out there are the Excalibur 24 pack of reporting flaming balls.
Part# KM1401
dumbandblind says
Fireworks: Burning money with a bang. You end up broke and full of smoke.
Dauntless says
Then, the Palmdale police haven’t been in my neighborhood! People over here have been putting off illegal fireworks for at least a week! They’ll be doing it again this eve…and the 4th is going to be a nightmare for us and our pets! 5th Street East and Ave R-8!
Tim Scott says
Not that I want to seem like I’m sticking up for the cops, but getting an illegal fireworks charge to stick has to be really hard. Sure, they see it go up, and can make some sort of guess as to where it was launched…maybe. But to charge someone with firing it they would actually have to see them put the match to it, and who is going to let them get that close?
Knowing says
Lol! you’ve got to be kidding me. ALL the firework sounds will scare the neighborhood pets. Pets are often scared of many noises. They listed above ways you can go about protecting your animals. READ AGAIN. Regardless if illegal fireworks or not, they’ll still be afraid of the “non-illegal” ones that other residents will be purchasing. Putting the street on there just makes you look extremely foolish.
Delilalala says
“Lighting illegal fireworks can result in significant injuries as well as damage to surrounding properties,” stated Palmdale Community Relations deputy Jodi Wolfe.
It’s not just about the dogs/pets, moron (Knowing) !
Native says
Can I buy “Unsafe & Insane” Fireworks?
Just a question?
Tim says
Apparently, yes you can Native. All the fireworks we have been seeing and hearing for weeks are Unsafe and Insane. All the ones we will see in the sky and hear will be Unsafe and Insane. Someone is selling them. Tonapah NV is notorious. I saw in the paper where they busted a ring. I hope the bust more.
Greg says
Last night someone launched two air bursters in Littlerock with nice resounding booms. Scared all the kittens, they took cover under the couch.
BTW I have kittens looking for fur-ever homes. Born in mid-March. Healthy and loveable.