Ohio State Fire Marshal urges safe and legal fireworks use ahead of New Year’s
As Ohioans prepare to ring in the New Year, the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of State Fire Marshal (SFM) urges individuals to put safety first, especially in the event they plan to celebrate with fireworks.
Since 2022, Ohioans have been able to legally discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks on certain days throughout the year as long as they follow the Ohio Fire Code’s discharge rules, according to the department.
Unless prohibited or limited by local laws, individuals are permitted to discharge consumer fireworks starting at 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day, as well as from 4 to 11 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said even though residents may do so legally, Ohioans must take steps to ensure they do so safely.
“While fireworks can be fun and exciting to see on a holiday such as New Years, the truth is they can also be extremely dangerous if used improperly,” Marshal Reardon said. “No one wants to spend New Year’s Eve in an emergency room, which is why it’s critical that fireworks are only handled by adults who are closely following the necessary safety precautions.”
The National Safety Council provides the following tips for those who choose to set off fireworks to celebrate the New Year:
- Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
- Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.
- Never hold lit fireworks in your hands.
- Never light fireworks indoors.
- Only use fireworks away from people, houses, and flammable materials.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
- Never ignite devices in a container.
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off, or in case of a fire.
Even trick or novelty fireworks can pose potential safety risks to those who use them. This includes items that smoke, sparkle, snap and snake. Ohioans are encouraged to follow these safety tips when using these kinds of devices:
- Only handle and discharge trick and novelty devices under adult supervision.
- Educate yourself on the hazards of each type of device being used.
- Carefully read and follow the label directions on the packaging.
- Light only one sparkler at a time and hold it away from your body, as well as from others.
- Sparklers should only be used by someone 12 years of age or older.
- Sparkler wires should immediately be placed in a bucket of water to avoid injury since they can remain extremely hot for several minutes following burnout.
If fireworks are being used improperly or outside the permitted dates and times, Ohioans should contact their local law enforcement agency. For more information on fireworks rules, visit com.ohio.gov/fireworks.