Published on July 03, 2019

Fireworks Safety

fireworks safetyLast year, at least nine people died, and an estimated 11,500 were injured in fireworks incidents. Risking your safety and those around you is not worth the serious injury or death that could occur from setting off your own fireworks. 

Fireworks can also lead to other hazards and emergencies due to their misuse. Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires yearly, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and nearly 17,000 other fires.

Ohio Fireworks law 

Beginning July 1, 2022, Ohioans can legally discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks in Ohio. However, discharge is only permitted on specific days and only at specific times - as set forth in amendments to Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) § 3743.45 (which becomes effective July 1, 2022) and new Ohio Fire Code (OFC) § 1301:7-7-56(Z)(5626) (which becomes effective July 3, 2022) - and only if not banned or further restricted by a local political subdivision.

Unless further limited by local jurisdictions, Ohioans can discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks only from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. (unless otherwise specified) on the following dates:

  • July 3, 4, and 5, and the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays immediately preceding and following July 4
  • Labor Day weekend (1st Monday in September and the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding that Monday) 
  • Diwali 
  • New Year’s Eve (4 p.m.-11:59 p.m.) 
  • New Year’s Day (also 12 a.m.-1 a.m.) 
  • Chinese New Year • Cinco de Mayo 
  • Memorial Day weekend (the last Monday in May and the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding that Monday) 
  • Juneteenth (June 19)

Safety First

If you find yourself in a situation where fireworks are being used without an expert, the National Safety Council has provided some basic tips you should follow. However, we strongly urge you to simply avoid situations that may cause you or your family harm.

  • Never allow young children to handle fireworks
  • Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
  • Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
  • Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
  • Never light them indoors
  • Only use them away from people, houses, and flammable material
  • 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
  • Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
  • Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire

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