MIAMI VALLEY -- The Ohio State Fire Marshal and Dayton Police are warning residents about using dangerous and illegal fireworks. They say this is a busy time for their agencies. All week they have received calls from concerned residents.
Emergency rooms also tend to fill up this holiday weekend from injuries related to fireworks. In 2012, fireworks caused 228 fires in Ohio.
Dayton police say you need to be careful where you buy fireworks.
"If you see someone selling fireworks from a van, vehicle or pop up tent usually those are not legal places to buy them, so those should be reported to your local police agency," said Dayton Police Lt. Eric Henderson.
Smokers, snakes, sparklers and snaps are legal. Pinwheels, bottle rockets, and parachutes are non-exempted fireworks. That means those fireworks can be purchased in Ohio but cannot be set off within the state. After purchasing these fireworks must be taken out of the state within 48 hours. There are only 42 licensed wholesalers in Ohio that sell fireworks. Right now there's a moratorium preventing any new sales licenses.
If caught with illegal fireworks that could result in fines up to $1,000 plus six months in jail.
Earlier coverage:
It is Independence Day and people across the Miami Valley will be gathering to watch fireworks, but some will be putting on some light shows of their own and that has some law enforcement concerned this Thursday morning.
Police tell us this is their busiest time for calls about fireworks going off. The only type of fireworks that can be legally purchased and discharged in Ohio include novelty devices like the sparklers and smoke. Although, sparklers seem harmless the State Fire Marshal says they can cause the most injuries. Last year 87,000 people were treated for firework related injuries.
At several stores you may see bottle rockets, pin wheels and other types of fireworks for purchase here in Ohio but they must be taken out of the state within 48 hours.
Lighting any illegal fireworks can get you cited or arrested.
Emergency rooms also tend to fill up this holiday weekend from injuries related to fireworks. In 2012, fireworks caused 228 fires in Ohio.
Dayton police say you need to be careful where you buy fireworks.
"If you see someone selling fireworks from a van, vehicle or pop up tent usually those are not legal places to buy them, so those should be reported to your local police agency," said Dayton Police Lt. Eric Henderson.
Smokers, snakes, sparklers and snaps are legal. Pinwheels, bottle rockets, and parachutes are non-exempted fireworks. That means those fireworks can be purchased in Ohio but cannot be set off within the state. After purchasing these fireworks must be taken out of the state within 48 hours. There are only 42 licensed wholesalers in Ohio that sell fireworks. Right now there's a moratorium preventing any new sales licenses.
If caught with illegal fireworks that could result in fines up to $1,000 plus six months in jail.
Earlier coverage:
It is Independence Day and people across the Miami Valley will be gathering to watch fireworks, but some will be putting on some light shows of their own and that has some law enforcement concerned this Thursday morning.
Police tell us this is their busiest time for calls about fireworks going off. The only type of fireworks that can be legally purchased and discharged in Ohio include novelty devices like the sparklers and smoke. Although, sparklers seem harmless the State Fire Marshal says they can cause the most injuries. Last year 87,000 people were treated for firework related injuries.
At several stores you may see bottle rockets, pin wheels and other types of fireworks for purchase here in Ohio but they must be taken out of the state within 48 hours.
Lighting any illegal fireworks can get you cited or arrested.