ESCONDIDO -- In their annual effort to promote a safe Fourth of July, Escondido firefighters will collect fireworks from the public starting Friday, fire officials said.

The only fireworks allowed in Escondido, or anywhere in San Diego County, are those detonated by certified professionals during public displays, Escondido fire spokeswoman Carol Rea said.

Residents can surrender their fireworks, no questions asked, from 9 a.m. Friday through 5 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at any of the six Escondido fire stations listed: Fire Station 2, 421 N. Midway Drive; Fire Station 3, 1808 Nutmeg St.; Fire Station 4, 3301 Bear Valley Pkwy; Fire Station 5, 2319 Felicita Rd.; Fire Station 6, 1735 Del Dios Road or Fire Station 7, 1220 N. Ash Street.

For more information, Escondido residents are encouraged to call the Escondido Fire Department at (760) 839-5400. Residents of other cities are encouraged to call their own local fire departments for information about fireworks in their jurisdictions.