On the Fourth of July, many Americans will celebrate with cookouts, parades, and fireworks. While fireworks are a staple of many holiday celebrations, using them can be dangerous. If you plan to use fireworks as part of your celebration, you should understand the state and local laws that apply so you can be informed and avoid unnecessary fines and accidents.

What Are Ohio Fireworks Laws?

In Ohio, consumer fireworks are regulated by the Ohio Fire Code and the Ohio Revised Code. Consumer grade fireworks are classified as “1.4G fireworks” and include items like firecrackers, bottle rockets, and Roman candles.

The discharge of fireworks is legal on the following dates:

• New Year’s Eve
• New Year’s Day
• Chinese New Year
• Cinco de Mayo
• Memorial Day weekend
• Juneteenth
• July 3-5 and the weekends around the Fourth of July
• Labor Day weekend
• Diwali

You can discharge consumer grade fireworks on private property, with the owner’s permission, between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. On New Year’s Eve, you can discharge fireworks until 1:00 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

Before using fireworks, you should check local rules and regulations. Ohio counties, townships, and municipalities can restrict or completely ban the use of fireworks.

In Ohio, you must be 18 or older to purchase, handle, or discharge consumer grade fireworks.

Fireworks must be discharged at least 150 feet away from buildings and structures.

You must clean up all debris immediately after use or before the next morning.

Important Fireworks Safety Recommendations

If you plan to use fireworks on the Fourth of July or any other celebration, we recommend the following safety tips:

• Have a hose, bucket, or other source of water nearby
• Wet an area at least 30 feet in diameter around the fireworks ignition zone
• Light fireworks on a paved surface away from grass, trees, and other vegetation
• Do not attempt to relight a firework that failed to light
• Soak used fireworks in water before discarding them
• Watch for fires in grass and shrubs for 30 minutes after discharging fireworks
• Do not use aerial fireworks in state parks or recreation areas
• Only use fireworks during the times allowed by state or local laws
• Keep children at a safe distance

Where Can You Buy Fireworks in Ohio?

In Ohio, you can purchase consumer grade fireworks from licensed retailers throughout the state. The retailer must provide purchasers with safety glasses for a nominal price and safety pamphlets that describe the safe use of fireworks.

Where to Watch Fireworks in Ohio

If you are located near Cleveland, Ohio, consider attending the following professional fireworks displays:

• BG Boom in Bowling Green (July 3)
• July 4th Spectacular Fireworks & Fun in Findlay (July 3)
• Red, White, & Boom Over Lake Erie in Conneaut from July 3-5
• July 4th Independence Day Fireworks & Parade in Valley City
• Fourth of July Fireworks in Geneva-on-the-Lake
• Light Up the Lake at Voinovich Park in Cleveland
• Independence Day Concert & Fireworks at Historic Fort Steuben in Steubenville
• Salute to America in Cuyahoga Falls, part of the Blossom Music Festival
• Fourth of July Fireworks in Lakewood
• Light up the Point at Cedar Point July 4-5
• Independence Day Weekend at Charles Mill Lake Park in Mansfield July 4-6

• Independence Day Concert at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums in Fremont
• Independence Day 1813 at Fort Meigs in Perrysburg
• Boom At The Bay in Put-in-Bay
• Firework Show in Van Wert
• Star Spangled Spectacular in Lima

Fireworks in Columbus, Ohio can be seen at:

• Lights in Flight at Kettering Field (July 3)
• Jackson Independence Day Celebration (July 3)
• Boomin’ in the 'Boro in Hillsboro (July 3)
• Red, Rhythm and Boom in Mason (July 3)
• Stars & Stripes On The River in Zanesville (July 3-4)
• Thunder in the Valley at Hocking College
• River Recreation Festival in Gallipolis
• Light Up The Sky 4th of July in Portsmouth
• 4th of July Celebration at Killing Tree Winery in Dresden
• Hamilton's July 4th Celebration
• MadTree Red, White & Blue Ash in the City of Blue Ash
• Independence Day Celebration in Loveland
• Freedom Fest in New Richmond (July 4-5)
• VCHS Athletic Boosters Fourth of July Celebration in McArthur (July 4-6)
• Martins Ferry 4th of July Celebration in the Park (July 5)
• Star-Spangled Nights at King's Island in Mason (July 4-5)

What To Do If You Were Hurt in an Ohio Fireworks Accident?

The use of fireworks is popular throughout Ohio, but their use can be dangerous. Common Ohio fireworks injuries include burns, hand and finger injuries that can happen when a firework explodes while being held or does not go off as expected, eye injuries caused by sparks or flying debris, hearing damage, and facial injuries.

If you or a loved one was injured in an Ohio fireworks accident, you might be entitled to compensation. The personal injury attorneys at Robenalt Law can identify the people responsible for causing your injuries and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact Robenalt Law Today

Robenalt Law has offices in Cleveland and Columbus, and handles personal injury claims throughout Ohio and nationwide. Call our Cleveland office at (216) 223-7535 or our Columbus office at (614) 695-3800 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.