Incline Village, NV…Celebrated safely, the 4th of July can be enjoyable for everyone. The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District would like to remind folks to enjoy the holiday safely and responsibly. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that more fires are reported on July 4th than any other day of the year in the United States and more than half of the fires reported are caused by fireworks. You can enjoy your holiday and the fireworks with just a few simple safety tips for you and your family:

Leave fireworks to the professionals. Please do not use consumer fireworks (includes sparklers and firecrackers).
The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted by professionals.
Please keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.
Never leave young children alone with an open flame.
Teach older children to use fire responsibly.

Fireworks are illegal to posses or discharge in Washoe County or on any US Forest Service property in the Tahoe Basin and elsewhere. This includes all consumer fireworks (fireworks purchased by individuals) known as “safe and sane” brought in from out of state. Please reference an ordinance amending the Washoe County Code by adding a new section to Chapter 50 for the regulation of fireworks http://www.washoecounty.us/clerks/ordinances.php. The use of consumer fireworks can lead to devastating burns, other injuries, fires and even death. Not only are safety precautions a concern, the cost of suppression and any other injury or liability caused by fireworks is the direct responsibility of those persons using fireworks. Anyone with fireworks may turn them into any fire station in any fire district without penalty at any time.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that in 2011, 65% of all fireworks injuries were sustained during the 30 days surrounding the Independence Day holiday. More than half of these injuries were the result of unexpected ignition of the device or consumers not using fireworks as intended. Last year, CPSC received reports of four consumers who were killed by either professional-grade or homemade firework devices, while an estimated 9,600 consumers were injured.

On Independence Day in a typical year, fireworks cause more outdoor fires in the United States than all other causes of outdoor fire combined. This emphasizes the fact that consumer fireworks are dangerous, especially with children and teens present. NFPA states that the risk of fireworks injury was highest for children ages 10 – 14, with more than twice the risk for the general population.

Please teach children that fireworks are not toys. Explain the dangers and ask your children to tell an adult if they find fireworks or another child playing with them.

Remember to use extra caution this 4th of July holiday. Please extinguish cigarettes in proper designated receptacles and leave the fireworks to the professionals. Left to the professionals, fireworks can be a spectacular way to enjoy your 4th of July celebration. Incline Village/Crystal Bay fireworks will be launched off-shore from Incline Beach, and can be widely viewed from many areas of the community in the evening on Wednesday, July 4th. Remember, please be fire safe.

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