Marion County officials mull fireworks restrictions as Ohio ban lifts July 1
Beginning July 1, Ohioans can fill the sky with rockets' red glare — at least on certain holidays and if the municipality they reside in doesn't have any restrictions against fireworks.
Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 172 into law in November 2021, which now makes it legal for state residents shoot off fireworks with some restrictions. According to the legislation, adults can light fireworks on their own property or on private property belonging to someone else with the owner's consent.
More: Ohio has a new fireworks law. Here's what you need to know about safety, holidays and more
The legislation does allow municipalities and townships to opt out or restrict the dates and times that fireworks can be lit.
Marion Township Trustees plan to discuss the issue at their next meeting on June 7, Trustee Karen McCleary said.
"We want our fire chief's (Marion Township Fire Chief Ben Meddles) input on this," McCleary said. "One of the problems is, how are you going to police it? I would hate to put that burden on the sheriff's office, but in the same breath, you've got fireworks and loud bangs and noises going off scaring the dogs and the kids. Unfortunately, I think that happens anyway."
Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer said city officials have not had any discussions about either opting out or imposing restrictions on fireworks use inside Marion city limits.
"The new council members hold their cards pretty close to the vest, so I have really no clue what this new council's intentions might be in regards to fireworks," Schertzer said. "If they want to do something, I would hope that they would have that dialogue, but it wouldn't surprise me if they pop something on a committee some night and have no discussion with anybody except for themselves, because that's how they govern."
Chapter 1519 of the Marion City Code outlines regulations for the use of fireworks inside city limits. According to that section of the code, only a licensed exhibitor can obtain a permit from the city to conduct a public fireworks display.
The chapter also states that "No person shall possess fireworks in this municipality or shall possess for sale or sell fireworks in this municipality, except a licensed manufacturer of fireworks as authorized by (Ohio Revised Code) 3743.02 through 3743.08, a licensed wholesaler of fireworks as authorized by (Ohio Revised Code) 3743.15 through 3743.21, an out-of-state resident as authorized by (Ohio Revised Code) 3743.44, a resident of this state as authorized by (Ohio Revised Code) 3743.45, or a licensed exhibitor of fireworks as authorized by (Ohio Revised Code) 3743.50 through 3743.55."
Per the new state law, it is now legal to shoot off fireworks on the following recognized holidays:
• New Year's Day
• Chinese New Year
• Cinco de Mayo
• Memorial Day weekend
• Juneteenth
• July 3, 4, and 5, and the Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays before and after Labor Day weekend
• Diwali (One of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs)
• New Year’s Eve
Under terms of the law, use of fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal. Anyone found guilty of such a violation will be convicted of a first-degree misdemeanor. Additionally, an individual could be charged with disorderly conduct for using fireworks under the influence of an illicit substance.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report for 2020, nationwide there was a "50 percent increase in deaths and injuries from fireworks-related incidents in 2020, compared to 2019." The CPSC report stated that there were 18 fireworks-related deaths in 2020, up from 12 in 2019. Eight of the deceased used alcohol or drugs prior to the fatal incident, according to the report.
Additionally, according to the report, "about 15,600 people were treated in hospital emergency departments for fireworks injuries in 2020. There were about 10,000 ER-treated fireworks injuries in 2019."
According to the National Safety Council, fireworks are the cause of an average of 18,500 fires annually nationwide. Of that total, fireworks are the cause of 1,300 structure fires and 300 vehicle fires each year.
Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion officials mull fireworks restrictions as Ohio ban lifts July 1
