City Of Troy Fire Department Chief Christopher L. Boehringer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 Troy, Ohio, Independence Day Safe Celebration The 4th of July holiday is upon us again and it is a time when many families gather to enjoy the outdoors and festivities. The City of Troy embraces this holiday and encourages citizens to have a good time and to have a safe holiday. However, the use of illegal fireworks has continued to increase in the City of Troy the past few years. The Troy Police Department receives close to a hundred illegal firework calls during the 4th of July week. It is the goal of the Troy Fire and Police Departments to have the citizens well informed of dangers and laws associated with fireworks. The Troy Fire Department and the Troy Police Department are joining together to take steps to address this growing problem. We are advising our citizens that we believe illegal fireworks represent a serious threat to the safety of individuals, and to our community. We are further requesting that individuals and families refrain from discharging fireworks on their own and we would encourage everyone to attend the public fireworks display provided by the City of Troy. It will be coordinated by licensed professionals, on the levy, at approximately 10:00 p.m. on July 4. The handling of fireworks and explosives is a professional endeavor, best left to those with proper training and certified through the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office. In addition, Ohio Revised Code 3743.65 makes it a first degree misdemeanor to unlawfully possess, sell, or discharge fireworks. Most first time violations of fireworks laws are first-degree misdemeanors, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. Violations include falsifying the purchaser form, failing to complete the form, failing to transport fireworks out of state within the specified time period, and discharging 1.4G fireworks. Certain fireworks may be fun but they also may set your house or a neighbor’s house on fire. These include fireworks such as firecrackers, bottle rockets and M-80’s. M-80’s, in fact, are not even fireworks; they are considered explosives and they can cause severe physical damage. All of these types of fireworks are illegal. The only pyrotechnics that can be used in Ohio are designated “trick and novelty” items that contains limited amount of pyrotechnic materials and only smoke, pop, and/or sparkle. Even sparklers, which can heat up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, can cause severe burns and injuries. Fireworks FAQ’s (addressed by the Ohio Fire Code) Q. As a citizen of the State of Ohio, can I buy and use fireworks? A. You may buy 1.4G fireworks (also known as consumer fireworks) from a licensed wholesaler or manufacturer; however, Per O.R.C. §3743.65 (B), it is illegal to use or discharge any 1.4G/ consumer fireworks (like fire crackers, bottle rockets, etc.) in the State of Ohio regardless of where you obtained such fireworks. You must transport all consumer fireworks purchased in Ohio out of the state within 48 hours of the purchase. The only pyrotechnics that can be used in Ohio are designated “trick and novelty” items that contains limited amount of pyrotechnic materials and only smoke, pop, and/or sparkle. Q. I want to have a fireworks show for guests on my own private property. Do I need to have a permit? Who can conduct the exhibition? A. All fireworks exhibitions in Ohio must follow the all of the rules and regulations contained in both federal and state law. Therefore, even fireworks exhibitions conducted on private property must be authorized via a permit from the fire and law enforcement officials having jurisdiction and an Ohio licensed exhibitor must conduct such an exhibit. Furthermore, as described in the Ohio Fire Code, an exhibition checklist must be completed by the fire department official having jurisdiction and that official must do an inspection prior to the exhibition. The checklist and a copy of the permit must be returned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Q. I want to have a fireworks show for guests on my own private property. Will this be ok if we are very careful? A. According to a recently released NFPA report, fireworks caused an estimated 1,800 total structure fires and 700 vehicle fires reported to fire departments in 2005. These fires resulted in $39 million in direct property damage. The NFPA report said U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated more than 9,000 people for fireworks related injuries in 2006. In a typical year, on the Independence Day holiday, fireworks cause more fires in the U.S. than all other causes of fire combined. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Assistant Chief Matt Simmons Troy Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau Phone :( 937) 335-2227 Fax: (937) 335-2227