Las Vegas Fireworks Go On Sale Wednesday

Fireworks go on sale on Wednesday and Las Vegas Firefighters are urging people to please use caution. The extreme heat has left the area with a high risk of fire.

"Use EXTREME caution when using fireworks and follow some simple safety rules," fire officials said in a release.

On Wednesday morning, more than 100 fireworks booths in the city will stock up on approved Safe-N-Sane fireworks. These fireorks have been approved for sale by non-profit organizations and can be used by individuals beginning Wednesday June 28 until 11:59 PM Tuesday, July 4.

Fire officials say that although they are labeled Safe-N-Sane fireworks, some people have the impression that they are toys and children can “play with them.” Safe-N-Sane fireworks can cause injury to people and are capable of starting large fires. (Subscribe to local news alerts on Patch)

A number of significant fires in the valley started because of the use of Safe-N-Sane fireworks.

People who purchase Safe-N-Sane fireworks must be at least 16 years of age. Booth operators have been instructed by fire officials to check I.D.s if necessary to ensure that the person purchasing the fireworks are of proper age.

The user still must exercise extreme caution when using Safe-N-Sane fireworks. Here are some safety tips from Las Vegas Fire & Rescue:

1. Fireworks should be used on a flat, firm surface such as the ground or a driveway. Fireworks are illegal on the street and sidewalk.

Stay away from bushes, grasses, and trees or anything else that might catch fire. Stay away from vehicles.

Have a bucket of water and/or garden hose available for use in case of fire.

There should be a responsible adult present when fireworks are being used.

After the firework has been used, it should be picked up with a shovel and dropped into a bucket of water and let soak for several hours before being discarded in the trash.

“Duds” or fireworks that did not go off after being lit should be picked up with a shovel and dropped into a bucket of water. You should NOT try to relight it.

If a fire does start because of a firework, don’t panic. Using the garden hose or bucket of water, either put the fire or out, or prevent it from getting larger. Someone should call 9-1-1.

Fireworks should NEVER be used in a building.

ANY type of firework is illegal at 12:00 AM on July 5, which includes Safe-N-Sane fireworks.

Fireworks are illegal at all times on streets, in any parks, on city property, or on school district property.

Fireworks are NOT permitted on federal property, which includes all parks and recreational areas including Lake Mead, Mount Charleston, Spring Mountains and Red Rock. There is an extreme danger of fire in the parklands and people caught using fireworks can face an extremely stiff penalty.

Fire officials are concerned about the unusually high amount of plant growth and the extreme danger of fire, especially in the city. Many homes have yards with palm trees and other plant growth, which easily burns, especially during the summer after a long-dry period such as this year. In the city, houses are closer together and a fire in a neighborhood can spread quickly, and cause significant damage in a very small amount of time. Here are some safety precautions homeowners can take this week prior to fireworks being used:

Clean your yard of any un-necessary weeds or plant growth. Cut grass and keep watered. Plants, which are green, are less likely to burn.

Take down any dead palm fronds off trees which burn very rapidly, hot and causes burning embers which can spread over a wide area causing other fires.

Clean any accumulated dead leaves, pine needles and other dead growth and dispose of properly.

Keep a garden hose connected and ready to use in case a fire starts in your yard, even if you are not using fireworks. If you do not have a garden hose to use, a bucket of water on stand-by is a good back up.

Keep pets inside for the evening, especially on the Fourth of July. Numerous pets run away or are reported missing on the 4th of July because of the noise.

Keep vehicles that are parked at home locked up and all windows shut. Park in a garage or under a canopy if available.

Check your property several times during the evening if fireworks are used in your area. Many times a fire can be detected while it is small and prevent it from getting larger.

People should remember that whether they are using Safe-N-Sane or illegal fireworks, if they cause damage to another person’s property, they could be held financially responsible and liable for that damage. Some apartment complexes have prohibited the use of fireworks on their property and warn tenants they could be asked to leave if they violate the rule.

Here are some rules concerning fireworks booths:

1. No smoking within 50 feet of firework booths.

2. Matches, lighters and other sources of ignition are prohibited inside the fireworks booth.

3. No person under the age of 14 years of age are permitted inside the booth.

4. Consumer must be at least 16 years of age to purchase fireworks. Operators have been advised to check I.D.s to ensure the person purchasing is at least 16 years of age.

5. Person purchasing fireworks can not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or another person can not purchase fireworks for another person who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

6. Fireworks cannot be discharged or ignited within 300 feet of a fireworks booth or gas station.

7. At least two people (or one adult/one teen) must be in booth at all times it is in operation (Teen 14-17 years).

8. Portable generators if used, must be kept at least 20 feet from fireworks booth. Gasoline tank on generator cannot hold more than 2 gallons of fuel.

9. Cooking equipment must be kept at least 20 feet from booth.

10. Open flame cooking equipment must be at least 50 feet from the fireworks booth.

10. Approved fire extinguisher must be inside booth at all times.

11. Booths must have two exits (counter is not an exit).

12. No vehicle or trailer shall park within 10 feet of booth. If used for storage, no less than 20 feet from booth.

13. At end of day, fireworks must be removed from booth and returned to wholesale storage facility.

14. Fireworks storage is prohibited in residential neighborhoods, inside dwellings, garages, public ways or in driveways (another words a trailer full of fireworks cannot be at any of the mentioned locations).

15. Fireworks may remain in the booth overnight for storage if approval is given by the fire department, a person must remain with the booth, awake and alert at all times (they cannot sit inside a vehicle to watch the booth).

These are just some of the rules that regulate the operation of fireworks booths in Southern Nevada.

File photo via Las Vegas Fire & Recue.