House Bill 253, legislation that lifts the ban on consumer fireworks discharge, passed the Ohio House of Representatives on June 4, by a vote of 78-17. The bill will now go on to the Senate where a companion bill, Senate Bill 72, is also being considered. The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians opposes both bills due to public safety concerns.
The messaging from legislation opponents continues to be:
- Backyard fireworks are dangerous to the user and to bystanders
- We oppose any legislation that legalizes the use of backyard fireworks
- Leave fireworks to the professionals and attend only authorized public fireworks displays conducted by licensed operators, but be aware that even professional displays can be dangerous.
There is no safe way to use fireworks. There are 10,000 injuries caused by discharge of consumer fireworks every year –half are to innocent bystanders. One-third of injuries are suffered by children.