Community Corner

Countdown to Watsonville Fireworks Sales

Remember: M-80s and bottle rockets are illegal.

There's just one week remaining until fireworks booths sprout in parking lots across Watsonville.

From 9 a.m. July 1 to the end of the day on July 5, "safe and sane" fireworks will be sold throughout the city. 

That means sparklers and smoke bombs, not anything that rockets through the air. Specifically, items such as M-80’s, M-100’s, and cherry bombs are not fireworks—they are illegal explosive devices, Watsonville Police said in a prepared statement. 

More than 20 booths operated by Pajaro Valley nonprofits will sell "safe and sane" fireworks in Watsonville.  

In preparation for that annual event, city officials are reminding Watsonville residents about firework safety. 

  • Have an adult supervise all fireworks activities.
  • Keep a bucket of water nearby.
  • Never experiment, alter the fireworks, or attempt to make your own fireworks.
  • Light fireworks one at a time.
  • Never throw fireworks at another person.
  • Eye protection should always be worn by the user.
  • Always shoot fireworks vertically, never horizontally.
  • The law prohibits anyone from selling, giving, or delivering safe and sane fireworks to anyone under 16 years of age.

Ilegal explosives account for one-third of all Fourth of July injuries, according to Watsonville Police. Bottle rockets also are dangerous and account for about two-thirds of fireworks-related eye injuries, especially among bystanders.
   

Watsonville Police will have extra officers on duty throughout the holiday weekend and will be specifically targeting illegal fireworks. Possession of dangerous fireworks is a misdemeanor, which could result in a substantial fine and/or county jail time of up to one year. Also, adults can be held civilly liable if a child is injure by fireworks on their property, according to Watsonville Police.

Watsonville is the only area in Santa Cruz County that allows the sale and/or use of any type of fireworks.

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