MENTOR, Ohio — The city of Mentor is the latest Northeast Ohio municipality that has decided to prohibit the use of consumer-grade fireworks despite the state’s decision to legalize the activity on select days of the year starting next month.
Mentor City Council voted to opt out of the legislation, which is an option for all municipalities throughout Ohio. That means while it’s now legal to possess fireworks in Mentor, discharging them is still not permitted.
“The Mentor Police Department wants to remind everyone it is illegal to discharge/ignite fireworks in the city,” says Mentor Police Chief Ken Gunsch, “It is a first-degree misdemeanor if you are cited for discharging fireworks.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the legislation to legalize the use of consumer-grade fireworks late last year. The new law takes effect on July 1 – just in time for July 4 celebrations. That means consumer-grade fireworks may now legally be discharged in Ohio on the following days:
- New Year's Day
- Chinese New Year
- Cinco de Mayo
- Memorial Day weekend
- Juneteenth
- July 3, 4 and 5 as well as the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday before and after July 4
- Labor Day weekend
- Diwali, a festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains
- New Year's Eve
Mentor city officials say the safety of their residents is the top priority.
“As much as fireworks are a huge part of our American heritage, it goes without saying that they are inherently dangerous,” Mentor Fire Chief Bob Searles said in a press release Wednesday morning. “Due to the legal status of consumer fireworks in our state, we have not seen the numbers of fires or injuries that other communities across the country suffer, but when we do see injuries from discharge of fireworks, they are usually life changing.”
Other cities joining Mentor in banning fireworks include: Strongsville, Broadview Heights, Brecksville, North Royalton, Oberlin, Brook Park, Parma, Mayfield Heights, Twinsburg, Berea, Orange Village and Brunswick.
The city of Lorain plans to vote on an ordinance at next Monday's city council meeting to allow fireworks on six of the state's fireworks-designated holidays before 11 p.m., with the exception of New Year's Eve until 1 a.m.
Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley said the state's new law only legalizes what Ohioans have been doing anyway. Gone are the days of lying about leaving town, or using your fireworks purchase to scare off birds on your property.
"Why create situations where people have to lie," said Bradley. "Let's give them an opportunity to do it, and do it honestly, do it fairly, and do it responsibly."
The city surveyed its residents and received about 700 responses, of which, more than two-thirds expressed support for allowing fireworks within city limits.
Bradley also reminded residents that they are responsible for any damage if their fireworks spark a fire.
"Just like driving is legal, but if your car crashes into someone else, you're liable for the damage," he said. "Because of your negligence, you cause damage to somebody else's property, you're going to be liable for it. Hopefully your homeowner's insurance will cover it, but if not, you'd better have deep pockets."
Meanwhile other cities like Cleveland, which has signaled their plans to opt out, have not officially passed ordinances doing so.
These cities have until July 1 before the new Ohio law takes effect.
Editor's note: The below video was originally published in a previous article on Nov. 8, 2021.