Nye County Issues Holiday Fire Safety Guidance, Local Risks Highlighted

Nye County emergency officials released a set of holiday safety recommendations on December 12 aimed at reducing the risk of residential fires during the season when decorations and festive cooking are most common. The guidance cites standards and data from the National Fire Protection Association and focuses on three main areas of concern, decoration safety, live and artificial tree handling, and cooking practices.

Officials urged residents to use LED lights for indoor and outdoor decorating, noting that LED lights run cooler and use less electricity than older bulbs. The guidance recommended avoiding open flame candles, or substituting simulated candles, to prevent accidental ignitions. For households using live Christmas trees, the department advised careful placement away from heat sources and regular watering to slow drying, and for those with artificial trees to check the product safety information before display.

The department also emphasized cooking safety, citing the heightened risk associated with unattended cooking and the increased danger of deep frying and stove top use during holiday meal preparation. Residents were reminded to maintain constant supervision while frying, keep a safe distance between flammable materials and cooking surfaces, and ensure working smoke alarms are installed and tested.

Local impacts in Nye County include higher vulnerability in rural communities where volunteer fire departments face longer travel times and sparser hydrant coverage. Safe decorating and cooking practices can reduce the number of preventable calls and protect families, property and the limited emergency resources available across the county. With winter visitors and seasonal residents adding to local population during holidays, simple precautions take on added importance.

For more detailed recommendations and printable safety checklists, residents should consult resources from the National Fire Protection Association and contact the Nye County Department of Emergency Management. Following the guidance can help households celebrate safely and reduce strain on local emergency responders during the holiday season.