Editor’s note: Este artículo está traducido al español.

T he Fourth of July tradition of families igniting fireworks in celebration comes with a heightened warning this week from fire officials across Southern Nevada: Be careful.

Statistics paint a sobering picture. Last year alone, fireworks were responsible for nearly 20,000 fires nationwide, causing millions of dollars in property damage and threatening countless lives, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

In 2024, fireworks were associated with an estimated 14,741 injuries and 19 deaths, according to the Fireworks Injury Report from the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory, an independent nonprofit corporation looking to improve the quality and safety of fireworks in the U.S. The report showed that adults aged 30 years or older accounted for 42% of all injuries.

Acting Boulder City Fire Chief Greg Chesser said more than one-third of fireworks injuries happen to children under age 15, and that even sparklers — a Fourth of July staple for the youngest of Americans — can burn at temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees, which can severely char skin and melt some metals.

“The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend fireworks displays put on by trained professionals,” Chesser said in the statement.

If you choose to use fireworks at home, officials urge residents to follow these safety guidelines:

Before you light

• Have a garden hose, water buckets or fire extinguisher readily available
• Clear a 25-foot radius of all flammable materials, including dry vegetation and outdoor furniture
• Never use fireworks during windy conditions
• Designate a sober adult to supervise all fireworks activities

During use

• Light fireworks one at a time, then move away quickly
• Never attempt to relight duds or malfunctioning fireworks
• Always keep children and pets at least 25 feet away from fireworks
• Never hold fireworks in your hands or point them at people, property or vehicles
• Wear safety glasses and avoid loose-fitting clothing

After the show

• Soak used fireworks thoroughly in water before disposal
• Never leave spent fireworks unattended
• Check your property for smoldering debris that could reignite hours later
• Dispose of fireworks debris in a metal container, away from buildings

Urging caution

Fire officials are on edge, especially after a handful of fires have burned through Wetlands Park in the northeast, though these blazes are normal for the area during fire season, which occurs from May through October, said Brian O’Neal, a deputy chief with the Clark County Fire Department. Approximately 70% of outdoor fires are human caused by actions like camping, smoking and shooting fireworks. They remind residents to be extra cautious due to desert conditions and dry vegetation. Additionally, fireworks are prohibited in many areas around Southern Nevada.

“The Fourth of July weekend is a very busy weekend for us,” said O’Neal. “We’re trying to push as much information as we can to help the public engage in the appropriate activities around the (Fourth of July).”

“Safe and sane” pyrotechnics are available for purchase from licensed stands — like TNT or Phantom Fireworks operated by nonprofit groups — through today. These fireworks have been tested and approved by area fire departments and stay grounded to reduce the risk of damage.

There are 102 booths in Clark County and 64 in the city of Las Vegas allowed to sell “safe and sane” fireworks, such as sparklers. Illegal fireworks include Roman candles, skyrockets and fireworks sold by vendors in areas such as Pahrump, Amargosa Valley, the Moapa Band of Paiutes and other states, county officials said.

Clark County is asking residents to report illegal fireworks sightings to www.ISpyFireworks.com or call 311 to avoid clogging the 911 line. Though a complaint lodged on the website doesn’t lead to a police dispatch, it does help law enforcement track trouble spots in the valley, the county said.

Last year, the site recorded more than 11,000 complaints of illegal fireworks from June 28 through July 4, officials said. County officials said they would be working with Metro Police and inspectors from the city of Las Vegas Fire Department to confiscate illegal fireworks and cite offenders caught using them. Henderson and North Las Vegas also will be working to stem the use of illegal fireworks.

Offenders caught using or possessing illegal fireworks in Clark County and Las Vegas face a minimum fine of $500.

A 2021 state law calls for fines of up to $10,000 for large amounts of illegal fireworks.

“As a fire chief, I have witnessed life-altering accidents caused by illegal fireworks,” Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Chief Fernando Gray Sr., said in a statement. “While we understand this is a festive day, we ask for the public’s assistance in keeping our community safe during the Fourth of July.”