Fire officials give close scrutiny to fireworks stands

By Dylan Scott

Thursday, July 1, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Fireworks vendors have popped up in parking lots across Clark County as the Fourth of July approaches, and fire officials are working to ensure the booths are safe.

More than 150 stands, run by local non-profit organizations, will sell fireworks through the holiday on Sunday.

Keith Barkow, Clark County’s fire inspector, and others will survey them to make sure they comply with safety regulations.

Vendors must mark off a perimeter around the booth, park vehicles and generators a certain distance away and display “no smoking” signs and other warnings. Each seller also participates in two safety courses before opening.

The stands can only sell so-called “safe and sane” fireworks. Anything that shoots into the air or explodes — such as bottle rockets or firecrackers — is illegal in Clark County.

The penalty for possession of illegal fireworks is a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

As Burkow inspected the Green Valley High School Marching Band’s booth in front of Albertson’s on Eastern Avenue, he offered a quick lesson with a fire extinguisher and some guidance for lighting fireworks. Always use a “punk,” a long, slow-burning stick, instead of a lighter or match to keep an arm’s length from the fireworks, he said.

“Just use common sense,” Burkow said.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that fireworks injure 7,000 people a year.

Because of Las Vegas’ scorching temperatures and arid climate, Burkow also advised having a bucket of water or a garden hose ready and setting off fireworks in a designated area, away from dry grass, apartments and houses.

Burkow complimented the band for its well-maintained booth and signed its permit with a smile.

“They did a fantastic job,” he said. “This is what we want all of them to look like.”

The fireworks stand is part of Green Valley’s effort to raise money for a trip to New York. The marching band plans to play in the Thanksgiving’s Day parade, and the symphonic band will perform in Carnegie Hall, said Maria Kuschel, a band booster parent who was supervising the booth.

About 200 parents and students will work shifts to man the shed from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday.

July 4 is second only to New Year’s Eve as the fire department’s busiest day. Burkow encouraged residents to call 311 with any questions and 911 with any emergencies.