Fireworks illegal in Atascadero
–Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services are urging Atascadero residents to observe a safe, legal and fire-free holiday. Due to the abundant vegetation from the wet winter and summer months, the threat of fire is at an all-time high and everyone must do their part to be fire safe.
Residents are advised that all fireworks are illegal in the City of Atascadero and officials warn that anyone caught lighting or possessing even “safe and sane” fireworks in the city will be cited and fined. Misdemeanor violations are punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. In addition, anyone found responsible for setting a fire using any type of fireworks will be responsible to pay for property damage, suppression costs and may be charged with a felony. This liability also applies to parents of juveniles found responsible for causing a fire.
According to statistics published by the Consumer Product Safety Commissioner’s (CPSC’s) 2018 Fireworks Annual Report, Fireworks were involved in an estimated 9,100 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during calendar year 2018.
According to the CPSC, an estimated 5,600 fireworks-related injuries (or 62 percent of the total estimated fireworks-related injuries in 2018) were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during the 1-month special study period between June 22, 2018 and July 22, 2018.
Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 36 percent of the estimated injuries. Similar to last year, nearly half of the estimated emergency department treated, fireworks-related injuries were to individuals younger than 20 years of age.
o Children 10 to 14 years of age had the highest estimated rate of emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries (5.2 injuries per 100,000 people). Older teens, 15 to 19 years of age, had the second highest estimated rate (3.1 injuries per 100,000 people).
The opportunity to observe fireworks displays in a safe manner will be available at some of the surrounding communities: Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, and in the unincorporated communities of Oceano, San Miguel and Templeton, within their respective community services districts.
Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services wishes the community a memorable 4th of July and requests a common sense, safe celebration. We further encourage anyone possessing fireworks to turn them in to their local fire department, without fear of penalty or prosecution, so that they may be safely disposed of.
For additional information or assistance, please contact the Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services at (805)461-5070 or your local fire agency.
