In conjunction with Lunar New Year celebrations, the San Francisco Police and Fire Departments and the Department of Emergency Management are reminding residents and visitors that all fireworks (including those branded as “Safe and Sane”) are illegal in San Francisco.
MUNICIPAL CODE SEC. 1290. DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS PROHIBITED. “No person or persons, firm, company, corporation, or association shall fire or discharge any fireworks of any kind or description within the limits of the City and County of San Francisco. Provided, however, that public displays of fireworks may be given with the jointly written consent of the Fire Marshal and the Chief of Police”.
Important warnings about fireworks:
- Each year, more than 12,000 fireworks-related injuries, half of them children, are treated in hospital emergency rooms.
- Possession of fireworks such as skyrockets, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers, and other types that explode, go into the air, or uncontrollably move on the ground can lead to a citation or an arrest.
- More than 25% of the children injured by fireworks are innocent bystanders. Something as simple as a sparkler burns at temperatures of up to 1,800 degrees! That’s hot enough to melt gold.
- Firework incidents cause millions of dollars in property loss each year, including vegetation fires that threaten homes and whole communities.
Information on Reporting Noise: We are aware of the noise generated by fireworks and how that impacts many in our communities. Police officers and firefighters will be out in the field working on mitigating these complaints. If you feel it is necessary to call, complaints about fireworks and noise should be directed to the non-emergency dispatch line at 1-415-553-0123.
Information on Reporting Fireworks Use: San Francisco’s public safety partners strongly urge San Franciscans to keep themselves and their neighborhoods safe this year. “If you see something, say something.” In San Francisco, report illegal fireworks only if you see the person lighting them, can describe them, and can give an exact location or address, by calling the SFPD non-emergency line at 1-415-553-0123.
Information on Response to Emergencies: Public safety agencies prioritize all 911 and non-emergency calls based on the severity of the incident. During holidays when fireworks are prevalent, public safety dispatchers must triage calls to determine the appropriate response with available resources. The police department may not be able to respond to every firework-related call unless fires or injuries are involved.
Please keep 911 available for people with police, fire, or medical emergencies.
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