Safety Urged During 4th of July – All Fireworks Illegal in Pasadena

The Pasadena Fire and Police Departments remind the public it is illegal to sell, use or possess fireworks in Pasadena. The City maintains a Zero Tolerance Policy for fireworks. Violators are subject to arrest; impound of vehicles; up to one year in jail and fines up to $50,000.

Instead, celebrate the Fourth of July Holiday with family and friends by attending the 88th annual “Americafest,” one of the best family-friendly, professional fireworks shows in Southern California at the beautiful Rose Bowl Stadium. Go to www.rosebowlstadium.com for event and ticket information.

Plenty of fun begins outside America’s Stadium at 2 p.m. Gates open at 7 p.m. for Americafest, with live motorcycle stunts; a tribute to our military personnel; Liverpool Legends, the Ultimate Beatles Experience, and Southern California’s largest fireworks show, Pyro Spectaculars ® by Souza.

If You See Something, Say Something! Call Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241 to report illegal fireworks and other suspicious activities.

Due to the high potential for fire hazards and injuries, Pasadena police and fire personnel will staff checkpoints around the Rose Bowl Stadium to seize all fireworks and arrest offenders.

The Pasadena Fire Department will begin applying Phos-Chek Tuesday, July 1, 2014 to brush areas surrounding the Rose Bowl Stadium. The main ingredients of this annual, preventative application of fire retardant are phosphates and fertilizers that help prevent trees and grasslands from burning and re-vegetate any burned wild land areas.

Pasadena’s Fire Chief Calvin E. Wells and Police Chief Phillip Sanchez ask everyone to make safety their top priority this year while responsibly celebrating our Great Nation’s Birthday due to extreme drought conditions and the long holiday weekend. The City offers the following safety reminders:

• Pasadena has a “NO Fireworks, Zero Tolerance Policy” for enforcement.
• Celebrate responsibility, always designate a driver.
• If outdoors in the sun, remember to use sunscreen, wear a brimmed hat and stay hydrated.
• Always have someone tending the barbecue and watching the swimming pool when in use.
• Call 911 for all life-threatening emergencies.
• Call (626) 744-4241 for all other public safety needs. Speak calmly and give accurate information about your location and the reason for calling.
• Visit www.CityofPasadena.net/Disaster for emergency preparedness information and to register your telephones to receive Red Flag Alerts or other emergency notifications.

In addition to stadium checkpoints, multiple units of a Fireworks Task Force will patrol Pasadena’s streets to confiscate fireworks and take appropriate enforcement action. Parking enforcement officers will ensure that vehicles illegally parked in Pasadena’s hillside areas on July 4 are impounded.

Statistics show fireworks are among the most risky of all consumer products. Even sparklers, which many people consider safe, are very dangerous, reaching 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, and can cause serious burns or start fires. Nearly 10,000 fireworks-related injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms every year and two of five people injured are under 15 years old. Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association show more than 90 percent of all fireworks-related injuries are caused by so-called “safe and sane” fireworks approved by federal and state law for consumer use.

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