Fireworks worries soar

BURBANK — With the cancellation of July 4 fireworks at the Starlight Bowl this year, police fear the temptation to celebrate the Independence Day with illegal fireworks will be greater than ever.

But the dry conditions that led to the suspension of the annual fireworks display pose just as much, if not more, risk for flare-ups or bodily harm from the use of already dangerous illegal fireworks like sparklers and firecrackers, Burbank Fire Department officials say.

"There are fires every year and there are injuries every single year," Burbank Fire Captain Ron Bell said. "Our numbers have been down in the past and we'd like to keep it that way. We're hoping that just because the fireworks show will not be on the hill, that people don't bring extra fireworks in."

The Burbank Fire and Police departments will be out in force during the Fourth of July holiday, patrolling the streets and confiscating illegal fireworks, issuing citations when necessary, Bell said.

But the focus of patrol activity is to educate the public about the dangers of illegal fireworks and to keep people out of harm's way, he added.

"Even most mundane fireworks — like the Safe and Sane sparklers — cause a tremendous amount of burns with children," he said. "Twenty-six percent of the burns that show up in emergency rooms are going to be from sparklers, small fountains and novelties. It's just the tiniest of stuff that creates terrible burns."

Some higher-powered fireworks may not only threaten bodily injury. They can put a reveler in trouble with the law, he said.

"Throwing an M-80 is a felony," he said. "That's a career-breaker for a young child, besides the fact that it's dangerous and can really hurt someone."

In conjunction with the Fire Department, the police department increases its presence on the streets in the midst of Fourth of July celebrations, Burbank Police Sgt. Matthew Ferguson said.

Some police reserve volunteers with particular expertise in fire safety will also join the force to bolster the enforcement efforts, he added.

"One of our reserve officers is a specialist in explosive devices and he is an outstanding resource," he said. "So he goes out on the Fourth of July to make sure that any of the illegal items that we recover are handled in a safe manner, or as safe a manner as possible."

Calls and complaints regarding illegal fire crackers are not isolated to Independence Day and usually begin days before the Fourth and continue for days after, Bell said. Notification from the public is a useful tool in efforts to keep people safe during the holidays, he added.

"We would encourage anyone that has a neighbor that's doing, particularly, airborne fireworks before or after or on the Fourth to call the Police Department and have them follow up on it," he said. "You can remain anonymous and you may be protecting your house, your neighbor's house or a child in the area."

As a part of the Fire Department's education and outreach efforts, engines will be out in the community with free flashlights, helmets and other goodies for area children, Bell said.

For more information, call (818) 238-3473.