Those planning to celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July and Juneteenth holidays with fireworks are limited to 10 days when they can legally be set off in Ohio.
Legal days include the Fourth of July holiday and the weekends before and after, as well as the day of the Juneteenth holiday.
On those designated days, fireworks can be set off between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m., assuming your local community permits them. Ignoring the regulations is considered a first-degree misdemeanor, according to the Ohio Fire Marshal.
The Ohio Department of Commerce said there may be additional firework bans in local jurisdictions and encouraged Ohioans to confirm their area’s rules.
When are fireworks legal in Ohio for Juneteenth, July 4?
Which Central Ohio cities ban fireworks?
The following Central Ohio cities ban detonating fireworks:
The dangers of fireworks and how to avoid damage
In 2025, 31 people reported Fourth of July firework-related injuries, a stark increase compared to numbers in 2024, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce. The Ohio Fire Marshal urged caution this year as the risk of injury persists.
Outside of personal injury, fireworks cause hundreds of thousands of dollars of property damage each year, including $400,000 in damages between Dec. 31, 2024, and Jan. 3, 2026, according to the Commerce Department.
“We want Ohioans to enjoy the Fourth of July, but we also want them to follow the law, stay aware of their surroundings, and make responsible choices that keep themselves and their communities safe,” Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said.
Only licensed sellers can legally sell fireworks. The Division of State Marshal encourages buyers to only purchase fireworks they are comfortable operating to reduce the risk of accident.
If you hear or see fireworks going off during non-designated times, you can contact your local law enforcement agency.
Safety tips from the National Safety Council
Dispatch reporter Lilli Malone can be reached at lmalone@dispatch.com or on Instagram at @lillimwrites.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ready for some fireworks? What to know before you stock up this summer
Reporting by Lilli Malone, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Lilli Malone, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
