Las Vegas Illegal Fireworks and Laws

Many people enjoy setting off fireworks to celebrate holidays in Nevada, however, what laws are in place in the state? Setting off fireworks in Las Vegas after the Fourth of July can bring legal trouble. In 2016, approximately 11,000 people across the country suffered injuries from fireworks severe enough to warrant hospitalization.

Where Can You Set Off Fireworks?

Las Vegas falls within Clark County jurisdiction and so follows the same fireworks regulations as the county. People may only use fireworks between June 28 and July 4. Any firework displays must finish by midnight on the fourth – anything after this point is illegal. So if you’re having a late independence day celebration, you might want to stay away from using fireworks.

The time frame for fireworks applies across Clark County, the Las Vegas Valley, and neighboring jurisdictions. At no time are any sort of fireworks permitted on federal lands, such as Red Rock, Mt. Charleston, and Lake Mead.

What Type of Fireworks are Allowed?

Even when using fireworks in the acceptable time frame and locations, people may only set off fireworks labeled as “Safe and Sane.” You can find these fireworks at authorized vendors. Examples of illegal fireworks are those that explode or fly about, such as:

• Fire crackers
• Cherry bombs
• Bottle rockets
• Roman candles

Illegal fireworks are responsible for many of the injuries sustained by those celebrating the holiday season. Likewise, these fireworks can also cause extensive fires. Clark County law enforcement is cracking down on fireworks this holiday season. Anyone setting off fireworks at an inappropriate time or place or using or in possession of illegal fireworks face a fine of $1,000, as well as officers confiscating their fireworks and additional disposal fees.

People who notice illegal firework activity can report it by filing an anonymous report, instead of tying up dispatch lines.

Safe Firework Practices

Even if you are following all laws, it is critical to also follow firework best practices to prevent accidents. While preparing your fireworks, you should set them up on a flat, hard surface away from any buildings, vehicles, and dry brush. Never transport fireworks in your pockets. Before starting any show, set up a pre-connected garden hose so that you can react quickly in the case of a fire.

Also, be considerate of those around you, especially neighbors that may be sensitive to loud noises. If your pets are afraid of fireworks, keep them inside while you set off your display. No matter the circumstances, you should not experiment with any homemade fireworks.

Whenever setting off fireworks, let a responsible adult handle all firework activities. This individual should always remain sober, and anyone who has consumed alcohol should not be involved in setting any fireworks off. Children and pets should keep away from the site of lighting fireworks. Never allow a child to play with fireworks.

When lighting fireworks, be sure to aim it appropriately – never shoot fireworks at a person, building, vehicle, or into a container. Let everyone know when setting off the fireworks will start so that no one becomes startled. Light one firework at a time and immediately move away. If a firework doesn’t light, make everyone stay clear of it; a firework may have been damaged enough to slow ignition but will set off later.

What to do If Something Goes Wrong?

If you have a firework malfunction, make sure that someone with a water supply moves to put it out immediately. If someone’s clothes catch on fire, help them stop, drop, and roll. You can treat minor burns with cool water and gauze, but larger and deeper burns require medical attention.

After you’ve finished, place all discharged fireworks into water overnight to prevent them from reigniting. While cleaning up any litter, also check that no embers, sparks, or heated debris exist that could cause a later fire. Not being mindful while using and disposing fireworks could lead to a serious personal injury or burn injury.

With proper precautions, we can all have a safe holiday season. If you were injured by a firework that was fired by someone else or during a show, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact Claggett & Syke’s experienced injury attorneys in Las Vegas.