Firefighters urge safety as fireworks will light up Juneteenth celebrations

A reminder for Ohioans planning to light up the sky this holiday weekend: while fireworks are now legal on summer holidays, including Juneteenth, firefighters want families to know that safety still needs to come first.

Juneteenth is one of the designated holidays when Ohioans are allowed to set off 1.4G consumer fireworks.

Those 18 and up can legally discharge fireworks between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m., but only on private property and with homeowner permission.

Struthers Firefighter and Engineer Jacob Giuriceo said that too many people forget just how dangerous fireworks can be.

"You can go from having a nice, good time in your backyard to accidentally catching your whole house on fire," Giuriceo said, "It does happen."

Under state law, only adults may handle fireworks, and aerial fireworks must be discharged at least 150 feet away from those watching. 

Firefighters urge people to never relight malfunctioning fireworks and instead soak both used and unused fireworks in water before you throw them away. 

"I think we take for granted how dangerous fireworks can be," Giuriceo said, "They're explosives. At the end of the day, they literally explode."

Storage is also regulated.

Ohio law limits individuals to storing no more than 125 pounds of fireworks without a special permit.

"Light one at a time. Make sure you keep a bucket of water by you," He added, "Make sure you're not aiming them at people or holding them or trying to shoot them off."

Ohio law also prohibits using fireworks while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and violations can carry serious legal consequences.

"We want them to have a good time," he said, "but safely, have a good time."

Click here to read more on Ohio firework laws.