Public-safety agencies from Nevada to Texas are stepping up warnings and enforcement ahead of the Independence Day weekend, urging Americans to leave fireworks to professionals, drive sober and follow basic fire-prevention measures. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said officers will conduct enhanced drunken-driving patrols, while police and fire officials nationwide are circulating tips on handling grills, campfires and fireworks during what is traditionally one of the busiest holiday periods for emergency rooms. The cautions reflect sobering national data. Fireworks were linked to an estimated 14,741 injuries and 19 deaths across the United States in 2024, according to the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory. A Consumer Product Safety Commission analysis shows children 15 and younger accounted for roughly one-third of the injuries, prompting the American Medical Association to highlight the risk of burns, eye trauma and amputations. Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, is limiting sales to so-called “safe and sane” fireworks that remain on the ground. Offenders caught with illegal aerial devices face minimum fines of $500, and penalties can reach $10,000 for large quantities. County records show more than 11,000 complaints about illegal fireworks were filed during last year’s holiday week, leading local officials to ask residents to report violators through a dedicated website rather than 911. Health experts also warn of less obvious hazards. Audiologists note that fireworks can emit 140-to-175-decibel blasts—loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss—while pediatric burn specialists advise keeping water or extinguishers nearby and offering glow sticks instead of sparklers to children. The National Weather Service and fire departments in drought-prone regions are underscoring the risk of wildfires, advising celebrants to clear brush and avoid lighting fireworks in windy conditions.