TOLEDO, Ohio — The Fourth of July is a few days away, and some might want to light off some fireworks to enjoy the holiday. However, fireworks are subject to state laws and - in some cases - city and township laws. Here's what you need to know.
Though it may be fun, the Toledo Police Department wants the public to know that fireworks possession and discharge are illegal in Toledo.
House Bill 172 was passed in 2021, allowing people to set off fireworks on their property. However, the city of Toledo opted out of the law.
According to the City of Toledo's website, while fireworks are illegal, it is legal to light up things like sparklers, snaps, glow snakes and smoke bombs in the city. Firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles and fountains, however, are banned in Toledo.
Lt. Paul Davis, Public Information Officer for TPD, talked about the consequences for detonating fireworks in city limits.
"Firework possession in the city of Toledo is a first-degree misdemeanor. You cannot possess fireworks inside the city of Toledo," Davis said. "So, you're not allowed to fire them [or] transport them. You're not allowed to have them on your property."
Davis said fireworks pose a substantial safety risk due to the explosion and fire that accompanies them. Some have even lost their homes due to fireworks, or suffered serious injury.
"They're very dangerous. Especially when you have people with large quantities," Davis said. "We have had instances here in Toledo in the last few years where people have been seriously injured and or killed by fireworks."
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