Many Americans this Fourth of July celebrated this year’s holiday with a bang—literally. For years now, people have flocked to vistas in Berkeley, San Francisco and even Hayward to see fireworks light up the sky.

However, there are some people in certain areas who would rather celebrate with a different type of firework, one that can be bought and lit wherever they please. Police and fire departments have cracked down on the sale and distribution of fireworks this year, limiting the sale and use of them in both Alameda and Contra Costa County. This year, the only places safe and sane fireworks could be bought were in Dublin and Union City. In addition, no fireworks could be lit anywhere in the unincorporated areas of the city, and Dublin, Calif. even limited the use of them to three parks in the area at designated hours.

One would think that the severe control placed on these legal fireworks would damper the sale of them, but nothing could be further from the truth. In Dublin, Calif., each of the thirteen booths scattered around the city limits pulled in a record amount of sales this year, an impressive feat when one considers how they are only allowed one week of sales. All of the organizations selling fireworks are non-profits, ranging anywhere from the Rotary Club stand near Hooters to the Dublin Elementary stand near Michael’s. This fundraiser was arranged by the Dublin Partners in Education, a non-profit that works with businesses to give money back to the community.

All of the organizations selling fireworks this year were picked from a lottery system. All twenty-five groups benefitted however, with everybody sharing booth time with those that were not picked.

“It’s a great community builder, with it being such a small community,” said Cindy Young, who has been working at the Dublin High booth for ten years now.

Amy Last, who volunteered her time over at the Dublin Elementary booth for the fourth year running, said that her booth pulled in an impressive 35 percent gross of $2,500 before the usual rush on the big day. According to Last, the safe and sane fireworks sold (which do not fly, dart or explode) have never caused any fires.

“I talked with a fire marshal two years ago, and he said that they have never started a fire,” she said.

One must realize that what is said is not always considered to be fact. According to a report released by the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 22,500 fires causing $42 million in property damage were caused in 2008. The report includes safe and sane fireworks, going on to say that sparklers (which are legal) burn at a temperature of more than 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.

This year, the Alameda County Fire Department was extremely short staffed, cut even shorter with designated firehouses set up to prepare for the Mehserle verdict in Oakland.

Emergency rooms were also flooded with victims who had hurt themselves with fireworks. One victim, 19-year-old Josh Myers, blew off his left hand and a large portion of his thigh when two M-1000 firecrackers exploded in his pocket. Some nurses had to put in twelve-hour shifts just to assist everyone.

Fireworks can be seen as a double-edged sword, something that has both its benefits and drawbacks. There are differing viewpoints on the matter, but they will always be here, year after year.