ALL FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN PASADENA; VIOLATORS FACE JAIL TIME

Got fireworks in Pasadena?  If so, you might find yourself making an appearance in court as all fireworks are illegal to sell, use or possess in Pasadena.  The City maintains a Zero Tolerance enforcement policy for fireworks and Pasadena’s police and firefighters are teaming up for special enforcement patrols against fireworks.  Violators are subject to arrest; having their vehicles impounded; up to one year in jail and fines up to $50,000.

Help keep all of us, and our homes, safe from illegal fireworks.  If You See Something, Say Something!  Call Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241 to report illegal fireworks and other suspicious activities.  Residents may also use the City’s smart phone app, available at www.cityofpasadena.net/citizen-service-center to report illegal fireworks.

If you want fireworks to be part of your Fourth of July Holiday, attend the 90th annual “Americafest,” one of the best family-friendly celebrations and professional fireworks shows in Southern California at the Rose Bowl Stadium.  For ticket and event information, go to www.rosebowlstadium.com.

Due to the high potential for fire hazards and injuries, Pasadena police and fire personnel will staff checkpoints around the stadium to seize all fireworks.  Parking enforcement officers will ensure that vehicles illegally parked in Pasadena’s hillside areas on July 4 are impounded.

The Pasadena Fire Department will begin applying Phos-Chek on Thursday, June 30, 2016 to brush areas around the stadium.  The main ingredients of this annual, preventative fire retardant are phosphates and fertilizers to help prevent plants from burning and re-vegetate burned wildland areas.

Pasadena’s Fire Chief Bertral Washington, Police Chief Phillip Sanchez and Public Health Officer Dr. Ying-Ying Goh urge everyone to make safety their top priority and offer the following reminders:

  • Celebrate responsibly, always designate a driver.
  • If outdoors, remember to use sunscreen, wear a brimmed hat and seek shade if needed.
  • Stay hydrated, drink water or other nutritious fluids before thirsty; limit alcohol & sugary drinks.
  • Many areas of the City, including outdoors, are “No Smoking” zones.  Respect “No Smoking” areas and, if you do smoke, always safely dispose of used cigarettes, cigars or other devices.
  • Always have someone tending the barbecue and watching the swimming pool when in use.
  • Call 9-1-1 for all life-threatening emergencies.
  • Call (626) 744-4241 for all other public safety needs.
  • When calling for help, speak calmly, give accurate location information and reason for calling.
  • Visit www.readypasadena.net for emergency preparedness information; and to register your telephones to receive Red Flag Alerts or other emergency notifications.

Statistics show fireworks are among the riskiest of all consumer products.  Even sparklers, which many people think are safe, are dangerous and can reach 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit; causing serious burns or fires.  Nearly 10,000 fireworks-related injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms every year and two of five people injured from fireworks are under 15 years old.  National Fire Protection Association statistics show more than 90 percent of all fireworks-related injuries are caused by so-called “safe and sane” fireworks which are also illegal in Pasadena.

Stay connected to the City of Pasadena!  Visit us online at www.cityofpasadena.net; follow us on Twitter @PasadenaGov, www.twitter.com/pasadenagov, and Instagram @PasadenaGov, www.instagram.com/pasadenagov; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofpasadena; and subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/pasadengov.  Or call the Citizen Service Center, www.cityofpasadena.net/Citizen-Service-Center, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at (626) 744-7311.