Gov. Mike DeWine legalized the use of fireworks for holidays beginning next year. A bill similar to this legislation was vetoed by Gov. DeWine back in July as he noted the possible risks concerning the use of fireworks.
The since passed bill will go into effect July 1, 2022, but are only permitted to be used on certain holidays and not every day of the year. Some of these include, but are not limited to, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend and the week surrounding the Fourth of July.
The law is flexible and different local communities may hold different rules concerning the use of fireworks in their cities.
Ohio’s previous law only permitted the use of sparklers and other lights of that nature. Ohioans could purchase fireworks in the state, but could not set them off and were given 48 hours to leave the state with them.
This new law allows you to set them off from your own backyard, even though this practice of a private firework show has been done by many people for years.
It remains illegal to ignite fireworks while under the influence and being caught doing so could result in a first-degree misdemeanor charge.
47 states including Ohio, have now made consumer bought fireworks legal. Washington D.C., Vermont and Illinois only allow the purchase of fireworks, like Ohio’s previous law. Massachusetts is the only state where the sale and use of fireworks is illegal.
Safety while using fireworks is urged to everyone by Gov. DeWine. Fireworks-related deaths and injuries rose up 50 percent during the pandemic, most of which were during the Fourth of July holiday.
Ohio’s new law states that firework sellers must include a safety pamphlet with every purchase. It states to keep the fireworks away from children, to not experiment with homemade fireworks, as well as many other safety recommendations.