Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
We’re counting down the hours until the Fourth of July weekend so we can hit the beaches and get our grill on, all in a very patriotic fashion.
But as sure as there will be grilling, there will also be fireworks - and with that come some safety concerns.
Fourth of July is always a great concern for fire agencies not only because of the use of fireworks, but the increase of people outdoors camping, recreating and barbecuing, says Daniel Berlant of Cal Fire.
If you plan to handle fireworks, make sure you’re purchasing state-approved ones that have the “safe and sane” seal. Stay away from purchasing them online, from someone’s car trunk or in other states to avoid hefty fines and jail time, says Berlant.
"There’s about 300 communities across California that allow the use of “safe and sane” fireworks, but many communities don’t so you really have to pay attention and ensure that you’re buying those fireworks from a legal stand," says Berlant.
Once you have ensured that your fireworks are "safe and sane," always exercise caution when handling. Berlant recommends the following:
If you have pets, you can follow these tips to keep them from hiding in your tub during the festivities.
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