Saturday marks the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, and Riverside County officials are urging residents to celebrate safely by attending public fireworks displays and using caution around open water.
“The safest way to celebrate is to leave fireworks to the professionals by attending one of the many public fireworks shows or community celebrations taking place throughout Riverside County,” April Newman, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department public information officer, said in an email to The Riverside Record.
All fireworks, including “safe and sane” fireworks, are illegal to use in unincorporated Riverside County as well as the vast majority of incorporated cities. The cities of Blythe, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs and Indio allow the use of “safe and sane” fireworks, which are non-explosive and labeled with an official seal from the State Fire Marshal…