As we get ready to celebrate Independence Day, please remember to celebrate safely. The City of New Albany would like to pass along the following safety reminders:

• The State of Ohio has a new fireworks law effective July 3, 2022. The new law allows people to set off “consumer fireworks” on their own property or on another person’s property with permission. While some communities continue to ban consumer fireworks, New Albany has chosen to follow the state’s new law.
• Although consumer fireworks are now permitted, the safest way to view fireworks is to attend a professional show. It is best to leave the fireworks to the professionals.
• Annually, more than 19,500 reported fires are started by fireworks. Burns account for 44% of the 9,100 injuries treated in emergency rooms on July 4^th. Half of the fireworks injuries seen at emergency rooms were extremities: hand, finger, or leg. One-third were to the eye or other parts of the head. Children ages 10-14 had the highest rate of fireworks injury with more than one-third (36%) of the victims of fireworks injures under age 15.
• A report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) finds a significant upward trend in fireworks-related injuries. Between 2006 and 2021, injuries with fireworks climbed 25% in the U.S., according to CPSC estimates.
• In 2021, at least nine people died, and an estimated 11,500 were injured in incidents involving fireworks.
• Novelty items such as sparklers are also permitted in Ohio. However, the challenge with novelty items is the unknown risk for injury. Sparklers burn at an extremely high temperature. Water boils at 212°F, wood burns at 575°F, glass melts at 900°F and sparklers reach 1200°F.
•  Sparklers account for roughly one-quarter of emergency room fireworks injures.

For more 4th of July safety tips, head to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website by clicking here.