Fireworks & Holiday Safety
Leave Fireworks to the Professionals
Fireworks are not legal in the cities of Camarillo, Moorpark, Ojai, Port Hueneme, Simi Valley, or Thousand Oaks—and are also not permitted in unincorporated areas of Ventura County. The fire prevention professionals at VCFD strongly discourage the use of any and all fireworks—including the safe and sane types. We also remind you that use or possession of fireworks could result in a fine—and possibly even a jail term.
To reduce the risk of bodily injuries, property damage, and fires, we encourage all residents of our community to attend authorized fireworks displays conducted by trained professionals for July 4th/Independence Day or any other special celebrations.
Fireworks Safety Tips
- Fireworks are not toys—never give them to young children
- If children find fireworks, encourage them to turn them over to adults
- Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks
- When attend a public fireworks display, stay at least 500 feet away
- If your clothes catch on fire, remember to stop, drop, and roll
Holiday Lights: Enjoy Them Responsibly
Everyone loves a beautiful holiday light display. But without the proper precautions in place, a lot can happen that can make the holidays anything but merry—and maybe even quite scary. If you do opt to display lights for the holiday season, it’s wise to exercise caution and keep the setup within reasonable limits. Here are some helpful tips.
- Decorate with flame-resistant or non-combustible materials
- Use lights and electrical decorations that are UL listed (check labels)
- Inspect light strands before use—and unplug lights before changing bulbs or fuses
- Exercise caution when hanging lights with nails or staples
- Never overload an extension cord—and place them in a safe space
- Turn lights off before going to bed or leaving the house
- Keep decorations out of the reach of small children and pets
- When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the “fire resistant” label
- Never use electric lights on a metallic tree
- When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness (green, firm needles, creamy base)
- Purchase and use a sturdy stand that holds at least one gallon of water
- When home with your tree, spray it with water to remove debris
- Make a fresh cut across tree’s base and immediately place in water
- Keep tree’s water container full at all times—and dispose of tree when it turns brown
- Place tree at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators, and heat sources
- Look for a “UL” label to ensure all light sets are listed and approved
- Throw out any light strands with broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections—and always replace non-working light bulbs
- Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per extension cord
- Turn off all lights when you go to sleep or leave home
- Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant decorations on trees
- Never use lit candles as decorations on trees or wreaths
- Wear gloves when decorating with spun-glass “angel hair”
- Follow container directions when decorating with artificial snow sprays
- Never burn trees or wrappings in a fireplace or wood stove
- Have your tree sprayed with a State Fire Marshall-approved flame-retardant chemical
- After Christmas, remove your tree from home as soon as possible—and recycle it
- Have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional before each winter
- Check flue to make sure it’s open before lighting
- Keep a screen in front of fireplace at all times
- Completely extinguish the fire before closing the flue
- Equip your chimney with spark arresters (required by law)
- Keep paper, kindling, and flammable materials three feet away from fireplace
- Never use fireplace during extreme wind conditions
- Don’t hang stocking on the mantel when using fireplace
- Never dispose of a Christmas tree in fireplace
- Do not burn trash, paper, or green wood in fireplace
- Make sure fire is out before going to bed or leaving the house
- Use flame-retardant fabrics (check label)
- Avoid costumes that can cause tripping or entanglement
- Use reflective tape on costumes and trick-or-treat bags
- Avoid costumes that can cause tripping or entanglement
- Never overload electrical outlets with decorations
- Keep porches and walkways clear by eliminating tripping hazards
- Adults should assist children when carving pumpkins
- Never use candles—opt for battery-powered lanterns or glow sticks
- If your clothes catch on fire, remember to stop, drop, and roll
- Remain in the kitchen when cooking on stovetop
- Stay in your home when cooking turkey, ham, or anything in the oven
- Keep children at least three feet away from stove at all times
- Keep children away from hot foods and liquids
- Keep knives, matches, lighters, and electrical cords away from kids
- Test your smoke alarms to make sure they work properly
- Keep the kitchen floor clean to avoid tripping or falling
