Don't lose a finger: For July 4th, here's how you can light fireworks and celebrate safely

With the Fourth of July approaching fast, firework displays are stocked and people are flocking to get ready for festivities.

The American Pyrotechnics Association estimates there are 14,000 firework displays totaling over 260 million pounds of commercial fireworks and sales of over $750 million annually by the public.

The Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of the State Fire Marshal is stressing safety for the season.

According to the agency, there were 128 firework-related accidents in Ohio last year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also noted 10,200 firework-related injuries in 2022, a 25% jump since 2006.

Firework safety precautions and restrictions in Stark County

State officials are urging those using fireworks to use common sense and take proper precautions. Do not light fireworks in the house, do not hold lit fireworks, do not attempt to use fireworks while drunk or otherwise impaired, do not light them near flammable objects or in a container and wear safety glasses before use.

No one under the age of 18 can set off fireworks or even be within 150 feet of the discharge point. A minimum distance of 50 feet is required for ground-based devices, which the Department of Commerce lists as fountains, firecrackers and ground effect devices. Fireworks can also be discharged on one's own property or another's with permission from the owner. Class "C" fireworks are also outright illegal in Ohio.

Several Stark municipalities restrict the dates and locations fireworks can be used so check with your local community government beforehand.

Alliance bars the use of all fireworks except for the Fourth of July. Louisville, Brewster, Hartville, Hills and Dales, Minerva and Navarre have banned all fireworks. While not banned in Jackson and Perry townships, those communities have heavier restrictions than those outlined by the Department of Commerce.

Canton-specific fireworks laws

Canton Law Director Jason Reese said Canton does not have city-specific firework laws, instead simply adhering to the already-established state regulations.

The dates outlined are July 3, 4, and 5, the immediate weekends before and after (June 31 to July 1 and July 6 to July 7), Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 this year), Diwali (Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 this year), New Year's Eve/Day, Chinese New Year (Jan. 29 next year), Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day weekend (May 24 and 25 next year) and Juneteenth.

Fireworks can be discharged from 4 to 11 p.m. on all listed dates, with the exception of New Year's for which the window is extended to 4 p.m. New Year's Eve to 1 a.m. New Year's Day.

Phantom Fireworks, the largest fireworks dealer in the U.S., provides some of its own safety recommendations as well. Phantom's website recommends detonating fireworks on hard, flat surfaces and that users stabilize fireworks with bricks on either side or bury half the device's height in a pail of sand or soil.

Consider leaving it to the professionals

The Canton Fire Department's website urges residents to leave fireworks to the professionals.

Dr. Randy Johnson of Aultman Hospital said about half of the injuries treated for fireworks-related accidents are severe burns, a majority of which are on the hands or face. He said sometimes these injuries require partial amputation and sometimes can be lethal, citing eight deaths nationally last year.

"In all my 18 years of doing this, I don't think I've ever seen a fireworks injury suffered by a professional that had to be treated in the ER," Johnson said. "Generally it's these backyard gatherings with commercial fireworks, especially when people are huddled up and standing close by."

Johnson said many firework accidents are the results of trying to relight a firework after the fuse has gone out. A shorter fuse gives people less time to create distance between it. Johnson recommends having a bucket of water nearby to put spent fireworks into and to douse any fires.

"Sometimes people try to get people to stop using commercial fireworks altogether, but that's not realistic," Johnson said.

"Instead, we should be promoting safe use. People will always be using them, so it's best if we tell them how to use commercial fireworks safely and effectively. Keep your distance, don't hold them, don't fire them off if you're drunk, don't point them at people's faces — yes, it happens."

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Safety tips for firework use ahead of July 4th celebrations