Opting out

Discharging of fireworks still illegal in many western cities in county

With the Fourth of July holiday quickly approaching, the Willoughby Hills Police Department has put out a fireworks reminder to all residents and visitors to the city.

Last year, Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation, which as of July 1 provides for purchasing and discharging of certain fireworks in Ohio. However, cities still have the local authority to opt out and continue with any and all restrictions previously put in place.

According to Willoughby Hills Police Chief Matthew Naegele, the city has opted out and most fireworks are still illegal to discharge within the city.

“Current Ohio law provides for the sale and use of trick, and novelty fireworks (anything that goes snap, crackle or pop — including sparklers) that are widely available in grocery and department stores,” he said. “Outside of that, we ask that our residents understand the city’s position on this safety matter and our duty to enforce when necessary.”

Oftentimes, when a particular act is legal like discharging fireworks, people think it’s safe, Naegele said.

“That’s why you see small children given sparklers, which burn at 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit — hot enough to melt gold, blind a playmate or set their clothes aflame,” he said. “There is no safe way to use fireworks and no backyard fireworks are inherently safe. The instructions on the package read, ‘Light fuse and run in the other direction.’ If there was a safe way to use these explosives, there wouldn’t be so many tragic accidents. We need to remember that nearly 50% of fireworks injuries are to innocent bystanders.”

In addition, Eastlake has decided to opt out and the discharging of fireworks in the city will remain illegal.

In May, Willoughby passed two ordinances, reaffirming the ban on discharging, igniting, exploding or possessing fireworks within the city. If fireworks are discharged and if the Willoughby Police Department observes the incident or receive complaints on the fireworks, the department will respond and may issue a minor misdemeanor citation for the offense.

“Please be kind to your neighbors and their pets, and visit our annual fireworks display July 4,” a Willoughby Police Department Facebook post said. “We want everyone to have a great celebration, just not in all of June and July.”

At its meeting on June 21, Willowick City Council placed revisions to the current fireworks ordinance on the agenda for three readings, which means the city’s ban on the discharge and sale of fireworks will remain in place until further action by council. For inquires, residents are encouraged to contact their councilperson.

Wickliffe is also opting out.

“Council made it very clear that they want the police to be aggressive in enforcing the fireworks ordinance,” said Mayor Joe Sakacs. “We are keeping fireworks illegal in Wickliffe.”

Eastlake, Willowick and Wickliffe will host a July

4 concert and fireworks at Lake County Captains Classic Park, located at 35300 Vine St., at 9:45 p.m. Willoughby is to host fireworks July 4 between 9:45 and 10:15 p.m. The fireworks

will be able to be watched from Todd Field, the Willoughby Court House, the Andrews Osborne Academy lawn or the Fine Arts Association lawn.