TAHOE CITY, Calif. The Fourth of July holiday is a great time to celebrate our country’s independence, and also a great time to get together with family. Of course we want you to have fun, but it’s important always keep in mind the safety of yourself and those around you. Fireworks are illegal in the Tahoe Basin and much of the surrounding area. The ban of fireworks isn’t to keep you from having fun; there are valid reasons that you might not know about. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is opposed to consumer use of fireworks, which as mentioned above, are illegal in the Tahoe Basin. This includes sparklers and firecrackers. Even sparklers burn hot enough to cause third-degree burns.

According to the NFPA, fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage. In 2015, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,900 people for fireworks related injuries; 51% of those injuries were to the extremities and 41% were to the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for one-quarter (26%) of the estimated 2015 injuries. These injury estimates were obtained or derived from the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2015 Fireworks Annual Report by Yongling.

If you want to see fireworks, go to a public show put on by experts. Do not use consumer fireworks. Remember to keep a close eye on children at events where fireworks are used. Be safe!
For more fire safety tips, visit www.nfpa.org/education