Related content
The sudden and unexpected sound of fireworks triggers an intense fear for Karessa Royce, a survivor of the Oct. 1, 2017, Las Vegas Strip shooting.
“The noise takes me right back to 1 October. I go numb,” said Royce, who is featured on a public service announcement that is part of Clark County’s “You Light It, We Write It,” campaign against illegal fireworks.
Those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder as well as seniors, children and pets often experience anxiety from fireworks. Many pets that escape their homes in fear and confusion on the Fourth of July end up in animal shelters and are never reclaimed, animal activists say.
“I get chills up and down my spine,” said Richard Lopez, a Korean War veteran who was also featured in an anti-illegal fireworks campaign video.
Since June 1, Clark County has received more than 6,000 complaints about fireworks. Last year, the county logged nearly 17,000 complaints from June 28 through July 5 — roughly 80% made on July 4.
“I think a lot of people are tired of illegal fireworks in their neighborhoods,” said Clark County Fire Inspector Dominic Giolito.
In 2018, children younger than 15 years old accounted for 36% of more than 9,000 fireworks-related injuries, according to research from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a nonprofit organization working to eliminate death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire and electrical hazards. The NFPA also reported more than 19,000 fires were caused by fireworks in 2018.
People who use illegal fireworks in Clark County can be issued citations that can carry fines of up to $1,000. Clark County has declared as illegal fireworks that are highly combustible and include firecrackers, Roman candles and skyrockets. Fireworks purchased from vendors in Pahrump, Amargosa Valley and the Moapa Band of Paiutes are likely illegal in Clark County, officials said.
“Just because you can buy illegal fireworks outside of Clark County doesn’t mean you should use them here,” Clark County Commission Chairman Marilyn Kirkpatrick said last week in a news release.
No fireworks of any kind are allowed at Clark County Wetlands Park, Mount Charleston, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
“Fireworks also are a hazard in our desert climate where the threat of wild land fire is extreme,” a Clark County press release reads.
Only fireworks labeled “safe and sane” are allowed in Clark County. “Safe and sane” fireworks are sparklers and fireworks that stay within a circular area on the ground and don’t explode in the air. Clark County’s Building and Fire Prevention Department has issued permits to 110 firework booths this year.
Under Clark County ordinances, people are allowed to light fireworks in the period from June 28 to July 4, and no later than midnight on Fourth of July.
Cory Stuart bought some sparklers and bombers Monday at a fireworks booth in the Walmart parking lot at 6973 Blue Diamond Road. Stuart said he has an 8-year-old daughter who loves sparklers and her birthday is coming up. The family sticks with less combustible fireworks that stay on the ground.
“We don’t want to burn anybody’s house down,” Stuart said.
Stuart also stays away from fireworks that are too loud because he has two dogs that are sensitive to the noise. One of his dogs barks and the other hides. “They’ve been going crazy for the past month or so,” he said. When people start lighting off fireworks around July 4, Stuart turns on music and his TV to mask the sound for his pets, but this year the fireworks have been more unpredictable, exploding in the middle of the night. “It seems like they started much earlier this year,” he said.
The money Stuart spent on fireworks will go to youth baseball organization Las Vegas High Heat Baseball Club. The club is in its third year selling fireworks — this year to raise money for the Cooperstown Baseball Tournament 2023. Last year, the club raised $18,000 selling fireworks at two booths, director Yessenia Lester said. “Our huge push is the three days before the Fourth,” Lester said.
Last year, the baseball club sold all of their fireworks. “We ran out,” Lester said.
Safety tips
• Use fireworks on flat, hard surfaces and away from buildings, vehicles, dry brush and bystanders. It’s better to light fireworks in parking lots and cul-de-sacs where there is more distance from homes, lawns and neighbors.
• Children should not light fireworks. Supervise kids lighting sparklers so they don’t accidentally set their clothes on fire and get seriously burned.
• Don’t call 911 about fireworks unless there’s a life-threatening emergency. People can report the use of illegal fireworks at ispyfireworks.com.
• Clark County fire inspectors also advise people to tell neighbors if they plan to light off fireworks so the noise doesn’t surprise them. They also advise revelers to place used fireworks inside of a bucket of water so they don’t reignite and have a hose nearby in case of a fire.