Area briefing

MEDIAN IMPROVEMENTS TO CAUSE LANE RESTRICTIONS ON ANN ROAD, VEGAS DRIVE

Lane restrictions are scheduled to be in effect on Ann Road between Tenaya Way and Decatur Boulevard and on Vegas Drive between Rancho Drive and Martin Luther King Boulevard due to median island improvements, according to the city of Las Vegas.

-- The Ann Road restrictions are set through June 1. The eastbound inside lane is scheduled for closure from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the westbound inside lane is set to close from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closures are set to occur Mondays through Thursdays, with some occasional closures Fridays and the weekends.

Twelve median islands are scheduled to be improved, with an estimated project cost of $80,000.

-- The Vegas Drive lane restrictions are set through June 8. Inside lanes in east and west directions are set to be closed from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with closures occurring Tuesdays through Fridays and some on Mondays and the weekends, the city said.

Eighteen median islands are scheduled to be improved, with an estimated project cost of $90,000.

The median island improvements for both projects will consist of decorative rock and boulder placement and the installation of metal sculptures of desert flora and fauna. The project is aimed at providing aesthetic improvements to the corridor with lower construction and maintenance costs and no need for irrigation water.

The city of Las Vegas' department of operations and maintenance is conducting the improvements, and the metal sculptures will be a mix of items procured from a private vendor, along with items constructed by city employees skilled in metal-work fabrication.

AGENCY SEEKS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF ELECTRICITY'S POTENTIAL DANGERS

The National Fire Protection Association reminds the public to be aware of the risks of electricity.

To mark National Electrical Safety Month, observed in May, the association provided safety tips and information to help residents reduce the risk of home electrical fires:

-- Replace damaged or loose electrical cords.

-- Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.

-- Make sure homes with small children have tamper-resistant receptacles.

-- Consider having additional circuits or outlets added by a qualified electrician to avoid using extension cords.

-- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.

-- Avoid overloading outlets. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time.

-- If outlets or switches feel warm or if there are frequent problems with blowing fuses, tripping circuits or flickering or dimming lights, call a qualified electrician.

-- Place lamps on level surfaces, away from objects that can burn, and use bulbs that match the lamp's recommended wattage.

-- Make sure your home has ground fault circuit interrupters in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, basement and outdoor areas.

-- Arc-fault circuit interrupters should be installed in your home to protect electrical outlets.

-- When you are buying, selling or remodeling a home, have it inspected by a qualified electrician.

Electrical failures or malfunctions were factors in an estimated 46,500 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments in 2010, accounting for 13 percent of reported home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Home fires due to electrical failures or malfunctions resulted in 420 deaths, 1,520 injuries and $1.5 billion in direct property damage, according to the association's Home Electrical Fires Report.

Any type of equipment that uses electrical power can have an electrical failure or malfunction.

In 2005-09, nearly half of the fires started annually by electrical failures or malfunctions involved some type of electrical distribution or lighting equipment, such as wiring, outlets, extension cords and fuse or circuit breakers, according to the NFPA report.

For more information, visit nfpa.org.

LIDS ON KIDS PROGRAM EARNS NATIONAL SAFETY AWARD

The Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort recently won a National Ski Area Safety award for its Lids on Kids program.

The award, bestowed by the National Ski Areas Association, recognized the month long helmet safety campaign at the resort.

The resort partnered with Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center to provide 318 local children with free helmets. Since implementing the program, the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort has provided more than 1,000 area youths with free helmets.

The resort plans to continue with the Lids on Kids program during the 2012-13 season.

For more information, visit skilasvegas.com or call 385-2754.

PERMIT AMNESTY PROGRAM AIMED AT HELPING HOMEOWNERS

The city of Las Vegas is offering a homeowner permit amnesty program during Building Safety Month in May.

Any homeowners who have done unauthorized work on their properties can pull the proper permits without incurring any additional penalties or double fees, the city said.

Garage conversions, patio cover installations, water heaters or water softeners or other remodeling work requires a city permit.

For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov or call 229-6011.