ZANESVILLE — Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz loves fireworks on the Fourth of July as much as the next guy. But he asks one thing of all citizens who choose to set off fireworks on their own property — or on someone else’s property with permission — thanks to Ohio’s new laws coming into effect in 2022: Please don’t drink or set them off.
“We all love to have a cocktail, but you have to be responsible not to be under the influence,” Lutz said. “You have to be responsible for your actions.”
Lutz said that regardless of the holiday, the Sheriff’s Office often responds to incidents involving drunken driving.
“People get careless and start mixing things with alcohol,” Lutz says. “You have to know what you’re doing. A lot depends on common sense.”
Lutz said that during the Fourth of July, the sheriff often deals with injuries to the hands of those holding the projectiles that go off too early; damage to property due to people firing the projectiles too close to their own home or that of their neighbors; flying debris from fireworks ending up in nearby pools and causing damage; or personal injury because people aim and shoot fireworks at each other.
“What we’re going to do this Fourth of July is make sure citizens are lighting fireworks in a safe manner,” Lutz said. “The last thing we want is for someone to get hurt.”
But Lutz further said that if citizens set off fireworks on the days and times allowed by law, they will allow people to have fun.
“Similarly, if someone is unsafe, or if the allowed time is over or on a day when it’s not allowed, we will enforce the law as written,” he said.
The new law says Ohioans may only drop off consumer fireworks purchased in the state on the following dates and times: July 3, 4, and 5, and the weekends immediately before and after from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Labor Day weekend from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM; Diwali from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM; New Year’s Eve from 4:00 PM to 11:59 PM; New Year’s Day from 12:00 noon to 1:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Chinese New Year from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM; Cinco de Mayo from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM; Memorial Day weekend from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; June from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
The 2022 law allows local municipalities to restrict fireworks on days and times as they see fit, but Lutz said there are currently no local restrictions in Muskingum County.
“That new section that was passed in 2022 helped to detail and clarify what you’re actually allowed to do,” Lutz said. “It makes it easier for us.”
However, the new law has some notable limitations, including:
● Persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to handle or set off fireworks.
● Persons under the age of 18 may not be within a radius of 45 meters of the fireworks setting point.
● No person shall use fireworks while in possession, control of, or under the influence of, intoxicating liquor, beer or narcotic drugs. A person who violates this is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
● Aircraft may not be launched within 45 metres of spectators (this also applies to air grenades, Roman candles, cakes and rockets).
● Non-aerial equipment must not be discharged within 15 metres of spectators (this includes fountains, fireworks and ground effect equipment).
● Note: These separation distances – for both aerial and non-aerial equipment – are longer for certain types of locations, such as hospitals, schools, health care and residential facilities, multi-family and commercial buildings, military installations and railways.
● No person shall store fireworks weighing more than 125 pounds (net weight of the pyrotechnic composition) unless additional safety measures and safeguards are provided for such storage.
● Fireworks may not be lit indoors.
● Fireworks may not be aimed or fired at a person or object (such as buildings).
● No fireworks may be set off on public property or on the grounds of private schools
● Fireworks should not be used during drought conditions, in areas under red flag warnings or other weather hazards.
“We want everyone to have fun on the Fourth of July,” Lutz said. “But we ask that citizens be courteous to their neighbors and the public when it comes to loud noises and to stay safe.”
Where to buy fireworks within an hour of Zanesville
Prism fireworks61601 OH-209, Cambridgeprismfireworks.comCustomers can purchase all common types of fireworks including ground spinners, fountains, Roman candles, tubes/final racks and aerial items.
Jerry’s Fireworks Factory (formerly Hamburg Fireworks Display)2240 Horns Mill Road, Lancasterhamburgfireworks.comCustomers can purchase rechargeable firework bombs, fireworks, fountains, flowers, projectiles, flares and rockets, wheels, spinners, wings, sparklers, Roman candles, smoking paraphernalia, 500g cakes and assortments .
Walmart Supercenter2850 Maple Ave.2850 Maysville PikeIf you just want the basics for your Fourth of July party, Walmart has an excellent selection of sparklers and understated fireworks to help take your party from meh to bang at a low cost and without a big show.
Eagle fireworks21860 Bridgewater Rd, Quaker City eaglefireworks.comCustomers can purchase fireworks, firecrackers, firecrackers, repeating fireworks, ranges, projectiles, helicopters, flares, sparklers and fountains, reloading sets, racks, smoke, wheels and novelties and parachutes.
Kirkersville Ghost Fireworks10442 Baltimore Rd SW, Millersportfireworks.com/locations/phantom-kirkersvilleCustomers can purchase fireworks, tubes, Roman candles, repeaters, assortments, projectiles, helicopters, rockets, sparklers and fountains, reloading kits, racks, smoke, wheels and novelties, parachutes and much, much more.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Don’t shoot off fireworks while drunk on the 4th of July
