With the first day of summer officially here, Clark County Fire Department and Emergency Management officials are offering tips for a safe summer and encouraging residents to download a free emergency preparedness app to their smartphones.

“Our desert heat during the summer can pose serious health risks to anyone in our region,” said Clark County Deputy Fire Chief Billy Samuels, who oversees the County’s Office of Emergency Management. “Flash flooding and wildland fires also are a concern this time of year. We encourage our residents to download our free community preparedness app to your smartphones to help prepare for various type of emergencies.”

The Southern Nevada Community Preparedness App offers free weather alerts, safety tips and resources to help families create personalized emergency preparedness plans and disaster supply kits. The public also can sign up to receive free public safety alerts via text or email through a community notification system called CodeRED at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF1085069456.  Both tools have apps available from the Apple Store or Google Play. More details are on the Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management website pages at https://tinyurl.com/362r2ku8. The Fire Department also offers a variety of safety tips on its website pages at www.ClarkCountyNV.gov. Some tips to keep in mind this summer include:

Wildland Fires

Nevada’s wildland fire season is May through October when vegetation is the driest. To prevent wildland fires:

• Clear vegetation and debris around your home to limit the potential amount of fire fuel. Properly soak and dispose of cigarette butts, charcoal briquettes and similar items that can start fires.
• Adhere to posted fire restrictions at Red Rock, Mount Charleston, Lake Mead and other federal land areas in Southern Nevada.
• Equip all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and similar vehicles with spark arrestors.
• Only fireworks labeled “safe & sane” are allowed and only from June 28 through July 4 each year when nonprofit groups are allowed to sell them for fundraising purposes at locally licensed and inspected stands. No fireworks of any kind are allowed at Clark County Wetlands Park and other local parks, or on public lands in the region. Safe and sane fireworks include sparklers and fireworks that keep to a small, circular area on the ground and don’t explode in the air.

Flash Floods

• Don’t allow children or pets to play in or near floodwaters, which are fast moving and can contain dangerous debris and chemicals.
• Never drive through a flooded road or around barricades. It can be difficult to determine how deep floodwaters are and floodwaters can rise dramatically in minutes.
• If you are caught in a sudden storm that may cause flooding it is usually safer for you to stay where you are and wait out the storm rather than trying to drive through it.
• If you get stuck in a stalled car, it may be safer to stay with your vehicle. Fast-moving water, even only a few inches deep, can quickly sweep you off your feet.
• Flood insurance may be a wise investment for some residents, especially those who live next to a wash or by a street that floods. For information about flood insurance visit https://www.floodsmart.gov/.
• More information about flood safety and local efforts to prevent flooding is available on the Regional Flood Control District’s website at https://befloodsafe.com.

 Lightning

Summer is the peak time of year for lightning strikes and lightning fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to a storm to be struck by lightning. It’s safest to be indoors or in an enclosed vehicle with the windows rolled up.

• Avoid using landline phones and electronic devices connected to an outlet.
• If you are in a boat or swimming pool, get to land and seek shelter immediately. Water is extremely dangerous when there is lightning.
• Move away from tall things such as trees, towers, power lines and objects that conduct electricity.

 Barbecue Grilling

Barbecue grills should be placed on a flat surface away from homes, deck railings and out from under eaves, overhanging branches and dry brush.

• Never leave a hot grill unattended.
• Periodically, remove grease or fat buildup in trays and traps below the grill to avoid grease fires.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area, and lighter fluid and matches out of reach of children.
• Use long-handled grilling tools to have plenty of clearance from heat and flames.
• Propane and charcoal grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors or in enclosed spaces such as tents, they pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases.
• After cooking, make sure you turn off both the barbecue and the shut off valve for the propane.
• Let the coals cool completely or douse with water before disposing in a metal container.
• Ensure easy access to a garden hose in the event of a fire or spill of hot coals.

Heat Safety

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps and dizziness. The public is encouraged to keep cool by staying indoors and in the shade as much as possible during the heat of the day, to drink water to stay hydrated, and to monitor the local weather forecast to stay informed about upcoming heat waves. Visit www.snhd.info/BeatTheHeatSNV  to learn more.  

• Never leave children or pets alone in hot cars.
• Drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty. Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.
• Dress for hot weather. Clothing that is loose, lightweight and light-colored reflects heat and sunlight.
• Use sunscreen; wear wide-brimmed hats outdoors.
• Limit errands to before noon or in the evening to avoid being out during the hottest time of day.
• Look in on friends and family who may be vulnerable to the heat.
• Always assign a designated water watcher when children are near a pool or any body of water. Additional drowning prevention information is on the Southern Nevada Health District’s website at https://tinyurl.com/2p85xryk.                                   

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Clark County is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to providing top-quality service with integrity, respect and accountability.  With jurisdiction over the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and covering an area the size of New Jersey, Clark is the nation’s 11th-largest county and provides extensive regional services to 2.4 million citizens and 43 million visitors a year. Included are the nation’s 7th-busiest airport, air quality compliance, social services and the state’s largest public hospital, University Medical Center. The County also provides municipal services that are traditionally provided by cities to 1 million residents in the unincorporated area. Those include fire protection, roads and other public works, parks and recreation, and planning and development.