Use — or sell— illegal fireworks in the City of Lathrop and you can face a $500 fine and up to a year in jail.

The Lathrop-Manteca Fire District and the Lathrop Police Department issued that warning as the sale of Safe and Sane legal fireworks start today.

Typically, safe and sane fireworks are those that do not leave the ground, do not send projectiles into the air or explode. Approved safe and sane fireworks will always bear the seal of the State of California State Fire Marshal.

Dangerous and illegal fireworks include, but are not limited to, the following: firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, bottle rockets, shells, aerial bombs, flying spinners, and roman candles.  

The public is asked to report the use or possession of illegal fireworks to the Lathrop Police Department non-emergency telephone number at (209) 249-1800.

The discharge of all fireworks, including safe and sane is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of San Joaquin County.

The sale of safe and sane fireworks in Lathrop starts today at noon.

The sale and use of safe and sane fireworks is prohibited within Lathrop City limits as of 10:01 p.m. on July 4.

Proceeds from the sales of safe and sane fireworks benefit several local non-profit organizations that are selected through an annual lottery. After obtaining all necessary permits and completing the required safety training, the selected non-profits are permitted to operate sales booths at the following locations:

* New Life Church, 100 E Louise Ave.

*Lathrop Little League, 837 S Harlan Rd River Islands Rip Tide Football and Cheer 200 Louise Ave Love Reaches Out Food Bank 16502 Golden Valley Parkway.

*Thrive Church, 1051 River Islands Parkway.

*Lathrop Sunrise Rotary 15240 Harlan Road.

The Lathrop Manteca Fire District has several suggestions for keeping residents safe when using legal fireworks.

 First, do not let children light fireworks. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 36 percent of all people injured by fireworks were under 15 years of age and over 53 percent of all fireworks injuries were burns. Second, do not let children play with sparklers. Sparklers cause more injuries to children than any other type of firework.

Sparklers can burn at temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to melt some metals. “We have a great opportunity in Lathrop to attend a very nice professional fireworks display on July 1. We encourage the public to enjoy the professional fireworks display in lieu of using illegal fireworks.

“The safety of our community should be everyone’s priority,” noted Fire Chief, David Bramell.

 In addition, Bramell said the public should consider the following safety precautions when handling safe and sane fireworks:

*Keep a water source within 100 feet of the fireworks discharge location.

*Maintain a safe distance between fireworks and onlookers.

*Position fireworks away from dry grass or other flammables.

*Light fireworks one at a time, never pointing them in the direction of others.

*Do not discharge fireworks from any surface above ground level.

*Never hold lit fireworks in your hand.

*Do not allow young children to play with fireworks.

*Do not attempt to re-light malfunctioning fireworks

*Douse used fireworks into a bucket of water before discarding.