Planning to light fireworks this year? Know the Oxford and Ohio regulations

The Fourth of July is in a week, and with the national holiday brings alcohol, celebrations and of course, fireworks.

In July 2022, the Ohio Senate passed Ohio House Bill 172, allowing people to set off consumer-grade fireworks on private property on certain designated days of the year.

Some of the days include New Year's Eve, Cinco de Mayo, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Diwali, July 3-5 and more, according to the Ohio Revised Code.

The bill doesn't allow free reign, though. Police can still enforce "any ordinance, resolution, or statute that regulates noise, disturbance of the peace, or disorderly conduct."

However, H.B. 172 also amended the revised code to state a county, township or municipal can set local limitations on the dates and times a person may discharge, ignite or explode fireworks, even on the selected holidays.

Oxford did just that two years ago and continues to maintain the ban.

Fire Chief John Detherage said city council in 2022 passed a measure to maintain the city's ban on operating fireworks without a license despite the state law.

No one in Oxford except licensed manufacturers or exhibitors are permitted to possess or sell fireworks, according to the ordinance.

Two years ago, both the fire chief and police chief of the city recommended council opt out of H.B. 172 and maintain the existing ban on possessing, selling or discharging fireworks.

"Part of my thinking behind recommending that we keep it was the amount of alcohol consumption in Oxford, and also the close proximity of the residences," Detherage said. "We got the Mile Square and a lot of our neighborhoods, the houses are really close together, so if something bad happens with fireworks, there's not a lot of leeway."

Detherage said this year the only permit issued for the use of fireworks is for the city's fireworks display at Oxford Community Park for the Fourth of July celebration.

Despite the city's ordinance, fireworks are still well within reach, with two stores just across the Indiana border in West College Corner. The two stores are each less than 15 minutes away from High Street.

Matt Stitzel, records specialist with the Oxford City Police Department, said since Jan. 1, 2023 OPD has issued one citation on May 15, 2023 for firework possession/discharge.

He said there are roughly one to three citations every year.

According to the ordinance, violators are guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree for a first offense and a maximum fine of $1,000 or imprisoned up to 120 days.

"If you're going to use them, try to be as careful as you [can,] and make sure that things are dry, and don't use them too close to things that will catch on fire. Try not to annoy your neighbors," Detherage said. "And if you're going to do it inside the city limits, be prepared to pay the price."

Dayton Children's Hospital reports that roughly 11,500 people across the U.S. went to emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries in 2021. Children under 15 represented more than a quarter of burns. The hospital recommends alternatives for families including confetti-filled balloons, red, white and blue bubbles, straw rockets and silly string.

For adults who do use fireworks at home, the hospital recommends taking safety precautions including making sure that children are a safe distance away.