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Fireworks safety concerns for July 4 weekend

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Mesquite, NV – Each Fourth of July holiday, fireworks accidents are a major concern for public safety officers. Mesquite Police & Fire Departments are hoping residents and visitors will exercise caution and obey all fireworks laws during the upcoming Independence Day weekend.

Mesquite Police Chief, Douglas Law said there are Mesquite City Codes as well as Nevada Statutes dealing with illegal fireworks. The general rule is that if the fireworks leave the ground or explode, they are likely to be illegal.

“Serious injuries can result from the misuse of fireworks,” according to Mesquite Fire Prevention Officer, Len DeJoria. “Each year there are many cases of permanent scarring, loss of vision and even dismemberment. The unfortunate truth is not only the person discharging the fireworks, but an innocent bystander or surrounding property can also be affected.”

The City of Mesquite has an array of family fun activities at the recreation center field on the evening of the Fourth of July capped by the Four Minutes of Fury, a spectacular fireworks display.

Clark County allows residents to purchase and use only non-explosive and non-aerial consumer fireworks during the Fourth of July, while other counties in Nevada permit all types of consumer fireworks. One of the most common type of non-explosive and non-aerial fireworks is sparklers.

A good rule of thumb to remember is; “For the sake of safety, leave the fireworks to the professionals,” said Officer DeJoria.

The Desert Tortoise

Like many desert creatures, desert tortoises spend most of their lives "holed up." In spring and summer, they roam grazing on grasses and wildflowers, then head for their burrows when it gets too hot. In fall and winter, when it is cold and there is not much to eat, they stay burrowed in for six months or more at a time.

If you see a desert tortoise, you are seeing an endangered species. Please watch out for them on the roads. Tortoises live in washes and valleys where the soil is soft enough for them to burrow into, yet stable enough so they do not collapse. Remember, desert tortoises are protected under the Endangered Species Act and may not be handled or removed.

Golf in the Desert

The city of Mesquite combines calm, small-town flavour with big-city attractions and championship golf. The Palms and the Oasis Golf Clubs are only two of the half-dozen challenging courses in the area.

Golf Highlights in Mesquite

Golf built on the dramatic Virgin Foothills of Nevada makes for a unique landscape and golf setting.
Enjoy a spa treatment at the Spa at Casablanca or the Spa at the Oasis.
Mesquite serves as a gateway to the national parks of Southern Utah and Zion National Park, which is less than two hours away.

View more information about golf courses in Mesquite

The Speedy RoadRunner

Called paisano in Mexico, the roadrunner is a well-known desert resident that only superficially resembles its popular cartoon portrayal. The greater roadrunner has adapted to life on the run. Though it can fly well, it prefers to use its strong legs and X- shaped toes to run rapidly over the desert landscape. Active predators, roadrunners aggressively chase insects, lizards, snakes, small birds and mammals.

Tolerant of humans, they sometimes nest in protected eaves and garages when they are not building large stick nests in desert trees. Their vocalizations include bill clicking noises and a mournful cooing made during breeding seasons. They do not meep-meep.