Fireworks caused $690,000 in fire damages last year in Ohio. How to avoid problems

It doesn't take much for a misfired firework to land in the wrong spot, triggering an expensive and sometimes dangerous fire.

Last year, Ohio recorded 128 fireworks-caused incidents, with 22 of those resulting to residential building fires that racked up $690,000 in property damages, according to the State Fire Marshal.

Going into the 4th of July holiday weekend, there have already been 10 fireworks-related incidents that led to nearly $10,000 in losses.

Since July 1, 2022, Ohioans have been permitted to buy, possess and set off 1.4G consumer fireworks on certain days of the year, as long as local regulations don't prohibit them. The law change eliminated the common practice of buying consumer fireworks, promising to take them out of state and then igniting them in backyards across Ohio.

Data from the State Fire Marshal do not show a big leap in fireworks-caused fires since the law change. Instead, the numbers climbed significantly in 2020 and then fluctuated.

When can you legally set off fireworks in Ohio?

Unless limited by local laws, Ohioans can discharge consumer fireworks on these dates:

• New Year's Day 12 a.m. to 1 a.m and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Chinese New Year
• Cinco de Mayo
• Memorial Day weekend
• Juneteenth
• July 3, 4, and 5, and the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday immediately before and after July 4th
• Labor Day weekend
• Diwali
• New Year’s Eve

Generally, the hours are limited to 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. or midnight.

What are some safety tips?

It might seem obvious to most people, but don't be drunk or high while setting off fireworks, don't allow children to handle or discharge them, and only set them off outdoors.

The law also says Ohioans can set them off on their own property or one someone else's property with permission. Some other common-sense fireworks rules in the law include: no setting them off in drought conditions, keep at least 150 feet between aerial fireworks and spectators.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.