Sales ignite

Deepa Bharath

Piccolo Pete, Mad Dog and Purple Rain are expected to light up the

city this Fourth of July.

People who buy fireworks from any of the 56 stands that began

operating in Costa Mesa on Tuesday will likely pick one of these

three popular brands of fireworks, said Ruth Harris, who operated a

stand outside Stater Bros. on Newport Boulevard.

A majority of the stands that sell fireworks in Costa Mesa help

local nonprofit organizations raise funds. Harris was fund-raising

for the Youth Services Assn. that organizes several activities for

scouts and other youth programs.

“This is our biggest fund-raiser of the year,” Harris said. “We’ve

always had a good response at this location, I think, because of the

freeway and the supermarket.”

Her husband, Brian Harris, said the group has operated the stand

at that location for more than 40 years.

“I’ve come here and bought fireworks since I was a boy,” he said.

Costa Mesa resident John Tran, who was looking at a list of

fireworks posted outside the stand with his daughter, said fireworks

are a good way “for kids to have fun.”

“A little bit wouldn’t hurt,” he said with a smile. “But we

wouldn’t want to overdo it.”

Most fires that occurred last year on the holiday were trash fires

caused by the improper disposal of used fireworks, Costa Mesa Fire

Marshall Tom Macduff said.

“People need to make sure they submerge the used fireworks in

water to make sure they’re completely out,” he said.

Last year, the city also saw a few accidents caused by illegal

fireworks, Macduff said.

“Anything that explodes or shoots up in the air is illegal,” he

said. “Adults need to supervise children when they’re around

fireworks.”

Sometimes, children also remove the powder from the legal

fireworks and make their own modified versions, which can be

dangerous, Macduff said.

“Parents often believe their children have respect for the

fireworks,” he said. “But the truth is most of them don’t.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at [email protected].

FYI

A few tips when you use firecrackers:

* Buy only state-approved firecrackers

* Always read instructions

* Keep close adult supervision

* Douse fireworks in water after use

* Have a hose and bucket of water handy