Ohio rethinks decades-long ban on firework use by public

  • 2019-06-05
Pyrotechnics manufacturers, state officials, and firefighters all concede that Ohio law regarding fireworks sales and usage are ineffective, but cannot reach a consensus on how to revamp the legislature and improve the situation.

For decades, Ohio residents have been allowed to legally purchase fireworks in Ohio so long as they signed a paper saying they would remove them from the state within 48 hours. Now, two bills are in front of the General Assembly that would permit Buckeyes’ to buy consumer-level fireworks and shoot them off here in Ohio.

Phantom Fireworks, which is based in Youngstown and maintains distribution centers throughout the state, has been in operation since 1976 and is supportive of the proposed changes to the law.

Included in the new law would be a fee attached to fireworks; the revenue from which would be earmarked for Ohio firefighter training. Additionally, fireworks sellers would be required to carry safety glasses for sale at no more than a nominal cost.

Retailers of fireworks will also be required to distribute information concerning the safe use of explosives from the state fire marshal in the form of pamphlets sourced from local printing services and included with each sale.

With July 4 now less than a month away, fireworks – both professional and amateur displays – are an area of concern for their effects on veterans suffering from PTS disorder as well as pets, due to being traumatized by the noise.