Independence Day weekend ushers in several fireworks displays, both professional and amateur. Wyandot County Public Health encourages those bringing their own sparkle to the holiday to keep safety at the forefront of their plans.
Unless banned by a local municipality, Ohioans can legally discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks in Ohio on July 3-5 and the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday immediately before and after July 4 between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. Fireworks may be discharged on a person’s private property or another’s private property with express permission from the owner.
Separation of at least 150 feet from the point of discharge of each firework aerial shell (50 feet for non-ariel devices) from spectators and from any structure or building is required by state law. These separation distances increase for certain locations such as apartment and multi-tenant buildings. No one under the age of 18 is permitted to handle or discharge fireworks.
According to the Ohio Department of Commerce, thousands of people are injured, sometimes fatally, in fireworks-related incidents each year. Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year damaging structures, vehicles, and property. Please utilize the following safety tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ensure a lit but safe firework display:
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
- 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.
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
- Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
- Keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby to fully douse fireworks that don’t discharge or in case of fire.
Wyandot County Public Health wishes you a very safe and fun Independence Day weekend. In addition to firework safety, please remember to drive sober and buckle up.
