A variety of fireworks are on display at Springfield Fireworks in Bluffton. While they can entertain young and old alike, fireworks must be used carefully, area first responders emphasize.
LIMA — The Fourth of July is a time for Americans to celebrate the founding of the nation.
But it can be as dangerous as it is fun for anyone using fireworks if proper safety steps are not followed.
“A firework is a bomb without shrapnel,” Lima Fire Chief Andy Heffner said in remarks made Wednesday at Mayor Sharetta Smith’s weekly media briefing. “It’s gunpowder wrapped with explosives. And more children are injured with sparklers than any other firework.”
Fireworks accidents can result in fires, blast injuries including loss of extremities and serious dismemberment and burns, according to Shawnee Township Battalion Chief John Norris.
“First of all, this year, especially, we have to really consider the dry conditions that we have had without much rain so far this summer,” he said. “Everything is in a space where things can catch fire very quickly. And anything stronger than a sparkler is not a good idea for a child to play with.”
Heffner emphasized that any child playing with a sparkler should be supervised by a sober adult.
“Remember, if you’re lighting fireworks, stay sober,” he said. “If you have to say, ‘Hey, hold my beer,’ don’t light fireworks. That’s when accidents normally occur, when somebody’s been partaking in alcohol.”
Heffner also said that anyone handling fireworks should have a bucket of water around and a hose ready and active, both for emergencies and for cooling down used sparklers.
It is safe to say that there will be plenty of fireworks being shot off across the country, according to Springfield Fireworks Sales Associate Ayden McDougle.
“Sales have been generally up compared to the last few years and they’ve been up for the last handful of years with shipping being resolved,” he said. “We’ve gotten a whole lot of product in and so have other stores across the country, which is nice.”
But if an accident does happen despite the fireworks being braced by cinderblocks, the safest things to do, other than having water ready, are to duck for cover and call 911.
“Just try to avoid anything and get out of the area,” McDougle said. “Get in a safe space where you’re not going to get hit with anything. A safe distance from fireworks is at least 50 feet away from smaller devices and 100 feet from aerial devices.”
McDougle also said that anyone shooting off fireworks should stay away from bigger shows if firing out of their backyard.
“Know the location you’re shooting at as far as the new Ohio law goes, with fireworks being legal on certain days and in certain counties,” he said.
The state of Ohio put into effect its new fireworks law July 1 of last year, allowing local governments to limit the use of fireworks. Previously, consumers could purchase fireworks as long as they transported them out of state within 48 hours.
Now, consumers are allowed to discharge fireworks on private property as long as they have permission, are over the age of 18 and are not under the influence.
Ohioans are allowed to legally discharge fireworks from July 3 through 5 and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday before and after the Fourth from 4 to 11 p.m.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Fire Prevention Bureau said that 163 fireworks-caused incidents have occurred in the state since 2022, 33 of them causing fires with $750,000 in damages resulting.
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
