COLUMBUS, Ohio – Police and safety groups are concerned about the dangers of people using gunfire and fireworks to ring in the New Year.
The Columbus Division of Police is partnering with a local; outdoor advertising firm to get the message out via several billboards: “Celebratory gunfire is potentially deadly and against the law,” spokesman Sgt. Rich Weiner.
There were reports last year of people being hurt because they dismantled and modified fireworks and of children being injured while playing with fireworks without adult supervision, said Nancy Blogin, president of the National Council on Fireworks Safety.
Blogin says the organization heard about cases of people who were shooting off fireworks while drunk. She says, if you find yourself at a party for New Year’s Eve where fireworks are being shot, make sure that there is a designated shooter who has not been drinking and that the fireworks have not been modified.
Blogin has additional safety tips from the Council:
Only use fireworks outdoors free of overhead obstructions and away from dry grass or other flammable materials.
Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
Never give fireworks to young children.
Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
Always have a bucket of water, and charged water hose, nearby.
Dispose of used fireworks by wetting them down and placing them in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until morning.
Ohioans can buy what are known as 1.4g fireworks, such as firecrackers and bottle rockets, from a licensed wholesaler or manufacturer but cannot use them in the state, according to the State Fire Marshal’s website. All fireworks purchased in Ohio must be taken outside the state within 48 hours of purchase.
The only items that can be used in Ohio are “trick and novelty” products that smoke, pop or sparkle.