Monday was the first legal day to sell fireworks in California, and for Mike Smith, chairman of the Merced High School's Marching 100's fireworks booth, sales weren't booming.
The good news is that he expects sales to spark later in the week.
Smith, who has manned the same fireworks booth at the corner of Olive Avenue and G Street for 19 years, said only a handful of people bought fireworks Monday.
Merced Sun-Star - Eric Dockery, left, and Mike Smith stock shelves with big boxes of fireworks for the Fourth of July buyers on Tuesday afternoon.
The following are legal fireworks:
spinners, cone, base, box or tube fountains, hand-held items, novelty items and smoke items
These fireworks are illegal:
Cherry bombs
M-80s
M-100s
Roman candles
Silver salutes
Bottle rockets
Firecrackers
Aerial shells and mortars
Helicopters
Safety guidelines for fireworks:
Always read directions.
Have an adult present.
Use fireworks outdoors only.
Never use near dry grass or other flammable materials.
Light one at a time.
Keep a safe distance.
Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
Don't experiment with fireworks.
Have water and a hose handy.
Never re-light or "fix" fireworks.
Do not wear loose fitting clothing.
Never carry fireworks in your pockets.
SOURCE: California Fireworks Safety and Education Program & California State Fire Marshal
California Health and Safety Code.
It wasn't the 104-degree heat that kept people away -- it was the fact that the first legal day to sell fireworks in California, which is always June 28, fell at the beginning of the week, Smith said.
"We are anticipating to beat last year's sales, which was a record for us," he said. "This is the largest fundraiser of the year for the band, and last year we were the No. 1 booth in the Valley."
Last Fourth of July, the nonprofit booth donated $25,000 to the high school band. "We have loyal customers," he said.
This year, 26 people in Merced submitted applications to open fireworks stands, but only 24 submitted the proper paperwork to the city, said Merced City Fire Chief Kenneth Mitten.
As of Monday, 19 booths have been scheduled to receive inspections, the Merced City fire inspector said.
Mitten said the number of inspections will increase later in the week, as some people prefer to open closer to the holiday.
Inspectors make sure that vendors are selling safe and sane fireworks and that booths comply with safety standards, said local fire officials.
If fireworks don't meet safety standards, Mitten said he confiscates them, then destroys them.
This week and up to the Fourth of July, fire officials will conduct spot checks at all fireworks booths.
"Our goal is for everyone to have a safe and sane Fourth of July," Mitten said.
The Merced Marching 100's will host a free fireworks safety demonstration at Merced High School Thursday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the northwest corner of G Street and Olive Avenue.
Legal fireworks are are only allowed in the the cities of Merced, Atwater, Dos Palos, Gustine, Livingston and Los Banos.
Reporter Jamie Oppenheim can be reached at (209) 385-2407 or joppenheim@mercedsun-star.com.
E-Mail
Print
