Celebrate the 4th Safely

The City of Long Beach encourages residents and visitors to celebrate safely this Fourth of July and all summer long to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community. All personal fireworks, including sparklers and those labeled “safe and sane,” are prohibited within Long Beach city limits.  

Community Education & Resources
Each year, the City conducts community outreach to educate residents and encourage the reporting fireworks activity in Long Beach. The City’s annual Celebrate Safely campaign showcases the dangers of fireworks activity and encourages community members to engage in alternative fun, family-friendly ways to celebrate on Independence Day and all summer long.

Celebrate Safely Flyer
Celebrate Safely Coloring Sheets

Here’s how residents can get into the patriotic spirit, without fireworks:

• Connect with neighbors by hosting a permitted block party. In an effort to support neighborhood activation and community, the City is waiving the $100 application fee for permitted block parties as well as barricade rental fees, which can be anywhere from $200 to $500. Available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. For more information and to apply residents may visit the City’s Special Events and Filming website.
• Host a fireworks-free backyard barbecue with family and friends.
• Spend the day at the beach.
• Go for a bike ride, hike or walk.
• Have a water-balloon fight.
• Enjoy an outdoor picnic in the park.
• Host an outdoors movie marathon with family, friends or neighbors.
• Have a fireworks-free backyard dance party with glow sticks, fiber optic wands or noise makers.
• Make a patriotic craft with the family.
• Throw a birthday party for the United States of America, complete with red, white and blue streamers and cake.

How to Report Fireworks in Long Beach:
Community members are encouraged to report fireworks activity, which can contribute to the City’s enforcement efforts. To report fireworks usage and/or sales:

• Submit a fireworks complaint by downloading the updated Go Long Beach App! Our Apple and Android apps are available for download. You can also submit a complaint on our Go Long Beach website here online.
• Call the non-emergency number at the City Communications Center at (562) 435-6711. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies ONLY. People should not call 911 to report fireworks, unless the fireworks have caused an injury or fire.
• Email the patrol division where the activity is occurring and provide addresses, videos, license plates, photos, and any other information that can be investigated. Please include your name, address, and phone number so that you can be contacted if necessary:
  • LBPDNorth@longbeach.gov
  • LBPDSouth@longbeach.gov
  • LBPDEast@longbeach.gov
  • LBPDWest@longbeach.gov 
    

Fireworks Enforcement
The City takes seriously the enforcement of firework activity. To prevent firework activity from taking place, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) will conduct ongoing, citywide enforcement of firework activity in the weeks and days leading up to and on the Fourth of July.

Under the City’s enhanced fireworks ordinance (Municipal Code Section 8.81.060), if someone ‘hosts’ an event with fireworks – as in property owners, tenants, property managers, landlords or anyone who organizes, supervises, officiates, conducts, controls or is in charge of fireworks activity on a property – they could be held responsible and could be liable for all response costs, which can be upwards of $20,000 per response or more based on the response, in addition to other fines. Anyone cited or arrested for fireworks violations may be faced with a $1,000 fine, sentenced to jail for six months, or both (Municipal Code Chapter 8.81).

The LBPD will make every effort to respond to reports of fireworks, however, officers must witness the activity in order to make an arrest. Community members who witness illegal fireworks activity also have the option to sign a private person’s arrest form which will allow officers to take action after investigating an incident.

The Dangers of Personal Fireworks
While fireworks are a Fourth of July staple and an American pastime beloved by many, they are not safe in the hands of consumers. Amateur fireworks can cause personal injury, property damage and pose a serious health risk for veterans, people experiencing post-traumatic stress and pets. Fireworks set off in residential neighborhoods, especially those that are loud and unexpected, can trigger flashbacks for veterans and gun violence survivors.

Every Fourth of July, animal shelters experience a spike of incoming dogs due to pets escaping their homes in fear of fireworks. To help support our fury friends, consider the following:

• Safer At Home – Pets are more sensitive to loud noises, flashing lights and strong smells. It is best to secure your pets safely and comfortably indoors, preferably with a radio or TV turned on to soften jarring noises.
• ID Tags Are the Ticket Home – Pets can become so frightened during fireworks that they may escape the noise by breaking through windows or door screens. All pets should always wear well-fitted collars with ID tags that have up-to-date contact information.
• Microchip Your Pet Now – Obtaining a microchip will help ensure that a pet can be identified and reunited with their owner if they become lost or separated due to the fear of fireworks. Ensure your pet is microchipped and is registered with your current contact information. Microchips are available for purchase at LBACS clinics occurring every Monday, second Friday, and fourth Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at LBACS (7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90815).

Additional Safety Tips
The City is also sharing the below recommendations to ensure everyone has a safe and celebratory Independence Day and summer:

• Driving Safety – To prevent injury to yourself and others, designate a sober driver or use a taxi or ride-sharing service to get to and from your destination. Remember that driving under the influence includes alcohol, cannabis, some prescription and over the counter drugs, and illegal drugs. Distracted driving can also pose serious threat to people’s safety; plan routes in advance and avoid texting or otherwise using a cell phone while driving. 
• Pedestrian Safety – Pedestrians and bicyclists should always maintain strict awareness of their surroundings, especially at night and when crossing streets, even when crossing in a marked crosswalk, to ensure their safety while on the road.
• Grilling Safety – Keep grills well away from the home, deck railings and out from underneath eaves and overhanging branches. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area. Keep grill clean by removing grease buildup from the grills and trays below the grill. Never leave a grill unattended.
• Water Safety – Always supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present, and do not rely on floatation devices. Never swim alone and, when swimming in the ocean, always swim near an open lifeguard station.
• Sun Safety – Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water; apply broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks from both UVA and UVB rays and has a SPF of 15 or higher before going outside; and wear protective hats and sunglasses when out in the sun.
• Heat Exhaustion and Stroke – Be aware of signs of heat-related illnesses and ways to respond. If signs of heat stroke are present or loss of consciousness occurs, call 9-1-1 immediately. Never leave a child, adult or pet alone inside a vehicle on a warm day. Additional heat safety information is available at ready.gov/heat.
• Mosquito Preparedness – Mosquito bites can cause more than skin irritation. Mosquitoes can transmit germs when they bite and can carry and transmit the West Nile virus (WNV), Zika virus, the parasite that causes malaria, dengue virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus and others. Ensure outdoor containers, including kiddie pools, potted plants, bird baths and pet water bowls, remain dry and clean; clean and chlorinate swimming pools and drain water from pool covers; and install screens on doors and windows. Additional mosquito preparedness tips are available here.