Las Vegas NowNevada's 101 Critical Days of Summer

Nevada's 101 Critical Days of Summer

The Nevada Department of Public Safety's Fire Marshal Division reminds the public that fire danger is especially high this year due to the unusual amount of vegetation. 

Fireworks and other "human factors" have already caused a number of significant fires in all parts of Nevada.

Many fires have been close to residential areas and have been attributed to fireworks.  If a person who is using fireworks causes damage to someone else's property, he or she may be responsible for paying for all damages. In addition, that person could be fined or even jailed. This is true of both children and adults, regardless of whether the fireworks are legal or illegal.

DPS State Fire Marshal Chad Hastings warns, "Fireworks are illegal in the State of Nevada unless approved by the local jurisdiction. Be aware of laws in your area and remember: All fireworks can injure people and are capable of starting large fires." 

The time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is labeled "The 101 Critical Days of Summer" because this is the time when most fires are started. 

State Fire Marshal Hastings emphasizes that fireworks are not toys. 

The DPS Fire Marshal Division advises that although sparklers are sometimes thought of as innocent, they heat to temperatures of 1800ºF or more within seconds. Before handing sparklers to children, think of the average baking temperature of an oven, then multiply by 5 or even 6.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 6,600 injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms during the one-month period surrounding the Fourth of July.  Forty percent of injuries caused by fireworks are to children 15 years old and younger. The most commonly injured parts of the body are hands, eyes, heads, and faces.

Please remember the following safety tips:

1. Clean your property of any unnecessary debris, especially high weeds or other plant life that can burn easily.
2. A responsible adult should be present when fireworks are being used.
3. If a fire does start, don't panic.  Call 911immediately from a safe place. 
4. Never try to extinguish a fire burning inside a building.  Everyone should evacuate and meet at a safe place.
5. Have a bucket of water and a connected garden hose available. IF AND ONLY IF an OUTDOOR fire is small and manageable, an adult should use the garden hose or a bucket of water to either extinguish the fire or keep it in check until firefighters arrive on the scene.
6. After the fireworks are used, they should be picked up with a shovel and dropped into a bucket of water and allowed to soak for several hours before being discarded into the trash.
7. "Duds", or fireworks that do not fire after being lit, should be picked up with a shovel and dropped into a bucket of water and allowed to soak for several hours before being discarded. DO NOT try to relight them.
8. Fireworks should NEVER be used in a building.
9. Fireworks are NOT permitted on federal property.  There is an extreme danger of fire in the parklands and people caught using fireworks can face an extremely stiff penalty.

Remember: Report all fires-Do not delay calling the fire department.

For more information on fireworks regulations in your area contact your local fire-service agency. Contact information is available via the DPS, Nevada Fire Marshal Division at 775-684-7500.

For more safety and prevention information, please visit: www.fire.state.nv.us and www.fpanevada.org