Fire officials working hard to ensure fireworks for sale are “safe and sane”

So-called safe and sane fireworks will be on sale this week in select jurisdictions in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, but how safe they really are in these dry conditions is up for debate.

NewsChannel 5’s Jake Reiner got a demonstration of safe and sane fireworks from Salinas fire officials, and also tagged along for a few stand inspections in the city.

Salinas fire inspector Rony Musones had18 booths to checkout, ensuring the vendors have their state fire marshal permit and their seller’s permit. He said the city received more than 45 applicants this year.

Each applicant must be a non-profit organization operating within city limits.

A total of 45,000 pounds of safe and sane fireworks will be available for sale this year.

For the Salinas Fire Department, it’s about making sure the customers aren’t being careless.

Fire Captain Peter Robbert said the first thing is make sure the firework is approved as safe and sane — it will carry a special seal from the state fire marshal.

After the fireworks are completely out, firefighters say just to be safe.. you should put the fireworks in a bucket of water. The fire department says safe and sane can be just as deadly with the severe drought conditions we’ve endured – which is why salinas firefighters will be a full capacity when July 4th comes around.