On October 11, the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 226, a bill that legalizes the discharge of consumer grade fireworks (firecrackers, bottle rockets, missiles, and multiple shell devices) 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The vote was 77 in favor of the legislation and 12 against passage of the legislation.
Representative Nicki Antonio (D-Lakewood, OH) made a passionate plea on behalf of the health and safety of children in opposition to the legislation which legalizes the discharge of consumer grade fireworks.
Now the bill is on its way to the Senate. The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians has typically opposed the legalization of consumer fireworks as a public safety concern.
Iowa legalized consumer fireworks discharge effective June 1 of this year after decades of a ban. The trauma unit of the University of Iowa saw:
- Fireworks injuries increase by 210% over the previous year
- Fireworks injuries that were more severe – 57% required surgery versus 20% in the prior year
- Minors affected jumped to 38% of total injuries versus 12% from previous years
- The proportion of injuries experienced by bystanders increased more than the proportion experienced by the firework handlers.