Boom! Fireworks Now on Sale

Fireworks sales will begin today at noon in Union City.

Union City is one of three Alameda County cities that allow the sale of "Safe and Sane" fireworks. Newark and Dublin started selling them on Tursday.

According to the Alameda County Fire Department, there are 22 fireworks booth locations in Union City, each supporting a different non-profit organization. (See below for a full list of locations.)

However, local agencies are reminding the public at large that police departments throughout the region have a zero tolerance policy on all illegal fireworks.

“A lot of people assume they can shoot any fireworks,” Cmndr. Ben Horner of the Union City Police Department told Union City Patch last year. “As a rule of thumb: if it blows up or shoots into the air, it’s illegal."

Last year, . The firecracker picked up a large rock during the exlplosion and struck her hand, which required her to be transported to a hospital for treatment.

Though safe and sane fireworks may be legal in Union City, rigid rules are in place.

According to the Union City Municipal Code:

• Only fireworks marked “Safe and Sane” can be used.
• Fireworks can only be used on private property and with the property owners’ permission.
• Fireworks cannot be used at parks, commercial areas or in public streets. Parks, which are usually open from sunrise to sunset, will close at 7:30 p.m. on July 4.
• They cannot be used within 10 feet of homes and other places of habitation.
• Fireworks cannot be used east of Mission Boulevard due to the area's dry vegetation.
• Fireworks can only be used from noon to 10 p.m. on July 1, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 2 and 3, and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4.

Anyone caught using illegal fireworks may face a $100 fine for the first offense, with fines increasing for repeat violations. Possession of certain types of illegal fireworks may also be considered misdemeanors and carry a fine of up to $1,000, according to UCPD.

The Newark Police Department also released a list of precautions to keep in mind when using fireworks: 

• Always read and follow the safety directions 
• Never take fireworks apart to build your own fireworks 
• Never allow children to use fireworks without adult supervision 
• Only light one device at a time, and remain a safe distance away after lighting the device 
• Never try to re-light or handle "dud" fireworks
• Always follow the safety directions 
• Fireworks should always be used in safe, open areas away from buildings, combustibles, dry vegetation, and especially people and animals. 
• A connected garden hose should be ready nearby and a pail of water kept handy for disposal of spent fireworks and "duds", faulty, unexploded fireworks. 
• Pet owners should confine their pets inside on July 4, as many animals become extremely agitated by the sights and sounds of fireworks. Some of these pets will even run into the streets and away from home in an attempt to flee fireworks activity that is distressing to them. 
• Please do not use city parks or other private property.

You can find fireworks at the following locations:

33365 Mission Blvd.

32101 Union Landing Blvd.

34734 Alvarado-Niles Blvd.

30073 Industrial Blvd.

31361 Alvarado-Niles Blvd.

33503 Mission Blvd.

Northwest corner of Alvarado-Niles Road & H Street

Southeast corner of Alvarado-Niles Road & Decoto Road

2601 Decoto Road

Alvarado-Niles & Decoto

30850-30910 Dyer St.

30600 Dyer St.

30315 Union City Blvd.

101 Decoto Road

30701 Dyer Street

Northwest corner of Alvarado-Niles Road & Decoto Road

1998 Whipple Rd.

32975 Alvarado-Niles Rd.

Northeast corner of Alvarado-Niles Road & Dyer Street

31140 Alavarado-Niles Rd.

Southeast corner of Alvarado-Niles Road & Decoto Road

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