Fireworks Safety in Morro Bay

Fireworks in Morro Bay

Everyone looks forward to having fun over the Fourth of July, and Fireworks can be awe-inspiring and immensely entertaining when properly handled. The Morro Bay Fire Department wants to make sure its community and visitors know how to stay safe while enjoying the holiday and wants to remind everyone about firework safety and the permitted and prohibited use of fireworks. The City of Morro Bay Municipal Code 14.08.090 permits the use of "Safe and Sane" fireworks on private property only within the City limits. Fireworks are not permitted on public property such as our streets, parking lots, parks, or beaches. All uses of "Illegal fireworks" are prohibited within our City which include bottle rockets, aerial shells, firecrackers, and sky lanterns.

Fire Marshal, Matt Vierra states, "a great rule of thumb to quickly determine if a firework is illegal is, if it goes up in the air, darts across the ground, or moves on the ground in an uncontrollable manner and explodes, it is dangerous and illegal." The California Health and Safety Code, Section 12505, defines "illegal fireworks," as fireworks that do not have the State Fire Marshal's "Safe and Sane" seal placed on it. Pursuant to Morro Bay Municipal Code 14.08.090, any use of illegal fireworks in Morro Bay or improper use of "Safe and Sane" fireworks in Morro Bay will result in a $1,000 citation including first time offenses. If your celebrations for the 4^th of July include the use of "Safe and Sane" fireworks, Morro Bay Fire Department has the following tips:

• Always have an adult present.
• Use of "Safe and Sane" outdoors only.
• Never use fireworks near dry grass.
• Light one at a time and keep a safe distance.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Have a bucket of water and a hose close by.
• Never attempt to re-light or fix fireworks.
• Never carry fireworks in your pockets.

Members of the Morro Bay Fire, Harbor, and Police Departments will be working with our community ensuring public safety during this year's July 4^th weekend celebration with officers, firefighters, and harbor personnel patrolling citywide. We are hopeful everyone will be safe with lawful fireworks and will comply with the provisions of the municipal code and have a safe fun-filled July 4th celebration.