Booming and Banging Safely

SOUTH ZANESVILLE, Ohio – There are traditions that encourage starting the new year off with a bang.

Oftentimes, firearms are the noisemaker of choice for many but since fireworks have been legalized by the State of Ohio, they are increasingly being chosen as the tool for the task. 

“So more people are more willing to go out, shoot fireworks and not many people remember the safety precautions. You got to remember you light them, get away from them, don’t light them in your hands because they can explode in your hands and cause traumatic injuries. So you definitely don’t want to set off any fireworks or light any fireworks inside your home. You don’t know how fast that fuse is going to go. Because you may not get outside quick enough and that firework can/may go off inside your house and may cause a fire inside your house,” South Zanesville Fire Department Assistant Chief Landon Duhamel said.

Firearms owners who fire their guns into the air should remember that what goes up must come down and that property damage or injury could result from the falling projectiles.

“I mean if you’re going to go out and use fireworks tonight, make sure you’re not doing it while you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs. And just be safe tonight, have fun, it’s a new year, the Buckeyes play tonight. So, let’s just be safe with it,” Duhamel said.

Keep in mind that first responders are people too, so don’t you be the one that makes them work on the holiday.