Amateurs need not apply, say Ohio laws

Ohio law keeps bottle rockets and fire crackers grounded.
By ZACH STIPE
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Leave the fireworks to the pros this Fourth of July, fire and safety officials say.
Loud crackles, colorful explosions and streaming rockets have become synonymous with Independence Day. However, only trick and novelty fireworks such as snaps, glow snakes, sparklers and smoke bombs are allowed to be sold and discharged in Ohio.
Under the law, consumer fireworks, such as bottle rockets or firecrackers, cannot be discharged in the state.
Consumer fireworks can be sold in Ohio at a licensed manufacturer or wholesaler, though. The catch is that the consumer fireworks must be transported out of the state within 48 hours (72 hours for non-Ohio residents) after the purchase. Consumers must be older than 18 and must sign a form stating where they are transporting the fireworks.
Pennsylvania also allows consumer fireworks to be sold at licensed retailers, but, unlike Ohio, the law prohibits residents from purchasing the fireworks.
Pennsylvania residents who want to purchase consumer fireworks must receive permission from a city or township official.
Don't -- but if you do ...
Although the laws in both states forbids the discharge of consumer fireworks, many people send bottle rockets, Roman candles and firecrackers soaring into the sky during their own personal July Fourth celebrations.
Area fire officials discourage personal displays and suggest attending a public fireworks event instead.
"My suggestion is go to public events that display fireworks," said Robert Tieche, chief of the Canfield Joint Fire District. "Those are regulated by your local fire department and state fire marshal. The individuals [discharging the fireworks] are licensed and trained."
"The best thing to do is go watch the fireworks shows that your community puts on," Salem Fire Chief Walt Greenameyer said. "Leave the fireworks to the professionals; that way you don't get hurt."
"Let the professional shooters shoot the fireworks," added Andrew Frost, Austintown assistant fire chief.
But what if people do decide to use fireworks for their own personal displays?
Hubert Clardy, Youngstown chief fire inspector, advises amateur exhibitionists to buy fireworks only from reputable retailers.
"Buying 'bootleg' fireworks can result in catastrophe, loss of limb, and there is even a potential for death," Clardy said.
Fire prevention
Keep a hose nearby to douse water on discharged fireworks and to cool off potential burns, he added.
Clardy also recommends never using fireworks in a dry area or around other combustibles.
Danger is everywhere with any type of fireworks.
Joe Bongivengo, New Castle, Pa., assistant fire chief, has seen structure fires caused by bottle rockets. The powder-propelled missiles have ignited entire homes.
Sparklers are a popular firework used by children and adults across the country. The sticks with bright, crackling tips are legal in Ohio and Pennsylvania, but also are dangerous, fire officials said.
With sparklers there is a potential for injuries to the hands, eyes and face, severe burns, and even blindness.
Frost said sparklers have caused major fires and even deaths in Austintown.
Sparklers burn at up to 1,800 degrees, which is hot enough to melt gold, he added.
"We recommend adult supervision, and we recommend that children don't run with them," Clardy said. "Light one sparkler at a time."
Clardy recommends placing the sparklers in water when done. He added that different-colored sparklers get especially hot.
"Kids always end up burning their fingers," Bongivengo said. "If you have to use sparklers, make sure you have a bucket of water available."