Everyone enjoys fireworks during the Fourth of July. The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District would like to remind everyone to enjoy them safely and responsibly.

You can enjoy your holiday and the fireworks with just a few simple safety tips for you and your family:

• Leave fireworks to the professionals. Please do not use consumer fireworks (includes sparklers and firecrackers).

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• The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted by professionals.

• Please keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.

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• Never leave young children alone with an open flame.

• Teach children that fireworks are not toys. Explain the dangers and ask your children to tell an adult if they find fireworks or another child playing with them.

Fireworks are illegal to possess or discharge on any US Forest Service property in the Tahoe Basin and elsewhere. This includes all consumer fireworks (fireworks purchased by individuals) known as “safe and sane” brought in from out of state.

Washoe County, Douglas County and Carson City provide for civil and criminal penalties for possession and/or use of fireworks. For Washoe County, please reference washoecounty.us/clerks/files/pdfs/county_code/Chapter050.pdf.

The use of consumer fireworks can lead to devastating burns, other injuries, fires and even death. Not only are safety precautions a concern, the cost of suppression and any other injury or liability caused by fireworks is the direct responsibility of those persons using fireworks.

Anyone with fireworks may turn them into any fire station in any fire district without penalty at any time.

Remember to use extra caution this Fourth of July holiday. Please extinguish cigarettes in proper designated receptacles and leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Incline Village/Crystal Bay fireworks launched off-shore from Incline Beach, can be widely viewed from many areas of the community in the evening on Friday, July 4th. Remember, please be fire safe.

Also, we welcome the community to our Community Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, July 5, from 8-10 a.m. at station 11, 875 Tanager St. in Incline Village. Please stop by for breakfast and a station tour.

“Chief’s Corner” is a regular feature in the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza from North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Chief Mike Brown, offering information, tips and education material on fire safety, emergency preparedness and other pertinent topics.