LIMA, OH (WLIO) - With the 4th of July just days away, you may be hearing the booms and seeing the sparkles of fireworks in your neighborhood. Area law enforcement wants people to remember the proper and legal way to use fireworks this holiday week.
In July 2022, Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill that made it legal to shoot off certain fireworks on private property. You must be 18 years of age or older, be at least 150 feet away from buildings, animals, and people when discharging aerial fireworks, and be 50 feet with non-aerial ones. You can find a list of requirements at the Ohio Department of Commerce's website. You are just asked to be responsible and respectful of others when enjoying your pyrotechnics this July 4th.
"People are allowed to set off the fireworks between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. July 3rd through July 7th. Make sure you're not by buildings, cars, and people. Do it safely. Even though it's permitted, there could still be violations we can work off of. So if it's loud noise, property damage, we can still try and make things right. Just be safe," explained Patrolman Kylie Archer, Lima Police Department.
Be sure and check with your municipality to see if they are using the Ohio Revised Code or have adopted a local ordinance about the use of fireworks. In any case, please use common sense when using fireworks this Independence Day.
