ZANESVILLE − Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz likes fireworks on the Fourth of July as much as anyone else. But one thing he’s asking of all citizens who choose to shoot off fireworks on their private property − or on another’s property with permission − thanks to Ohio’s new laws passed in 2022 is: Please don’t drink and fire.

“We all like to partake in a cocktail, but you have to be responsible to not be under the influence,” said Lutz. “You have to be accountable and responsible for your actions.”

Lutz said no matter the holiday, the Sheriff’s Office often responds to incidents that go awry because of intoxication.

“People get careless, and they start mixing things with alcohol,” said Lutz. “You have to know what you’re doing. A lot of it comes down to common sense.”

Lutz said common issues the sheriff’s office responds to during the Fourth of July are hand injuries from individuals holding them and they go off too soon; property damage because individuals fire the projectiles too close to their own home or a neighbor’s home; flying debris from aerial fireworks landing in nearby pools and causing damage; or personal injuries from individuals aiming and shooting fireworks at each other.

“What we are going to look for during Fourth of July is making sure citizens are setting fireworks off in a safe manner,” said Lutz. “The last thing we want is for anyone to get hurt.”

But beyond that, Lutz said that if citizens are shooting fireworks on the days and times allowed by law, they’re going to let folks have fun.

“On the same token, if someone is being unsafe, or its past the time allowed or on a day it’s not allowed, we’ll enforce the law as written,” he said.

The new law says Ohioans can only discharge consumer fireworks bought in the state and can only do so on the following dates and times: July 3, 4, and 5, and the weekends immediately before and after from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Labor Day weekend from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Diwali from 4 p.m. to11 p.m.; New Year’s Eve from 4 p.m. to11:59 p.m.; New Year’s Day from12 a.m. to 1 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Chinese New Year from 4 p.m. to11 p.m.; Cinco de Mayo from 4 p.m. to11 p.m.; Memorial Day weekend from 4 p.m. to11 p.m.; Juneteenth from 4 p.m. to11 p.m.

The 2022 law allows local municipalities to restrict fireworks by days and times as they see fit, but Lutz said currently in Muskingum County, there are no local restrictions.

“That new section that passed in 2022 helped detail and clarify what you’re actually allowed to do,” said Lutz. “It makes it easier for us.”

The new law does have some notable restrictions, however, that include:

● No person under the age of 18 is permitted to handle or discharge fireworks.

● Persons under the age of 18 cannot be within 150 feet of the discharge point of aerial fireworks.

● No person can use fireworks while in possession or control of, or under the influence of, any intoxicating liquor, beer, or controlled substance. A person who violates this is guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor.

● Aerial devices cannot be discharged within 150 feet of spectators (this includes aerial shells, roman candles, cakes, and bottle rockets).

● Non-aerial devices cannot be discharged within 50 feet of spectators (this includes fountains, firecrackers, and ground effect devices).

● Note: These separation distances – for both aerial and non-aerial devices – are increased for certain types of locations such as hospitals, schools, healthcare and residential facilities, apartment and multi-tenant buildings, military installations and railroads.

● No person can store in excess of 125 pounds (net weight of pyrotechnic composition) of fireworks unless they have additional safety measures and safeguards in place for such storage.

● Fireworks cannot be discharged indoors.

● Fireworks cannot be aimed at or discharged toward any person or object (such as buildings).

● Fireworks cannot be discharged on public property or private school property

● Fireworks cannot be discharged if drought conditions exist or in an area where a red flag warning is in place or other weather hazard exists.

“We want everyone to have fun on the Fourth of July,” said Lutz. “But we ask that citizens please be courteous to your neighbors and the public as far as loud noises and staying safe.”

Where to buy fireworks within an hour of Zanesville

Prism Fireworks61601 OH-209, Cambridgeprismfireworks.comCustomers can purchase all the typical fireworks including ground spinners, fountains, roman candles, tubes/finale racks, and aerial items.

Jerry’s Fireworks Factory (formerly Hamburg Fireworks Display)2240 Horns Mill Road, Lancasterhamburgfireworks.comCustomers can purchase reloadables, firecrackers, fountains, florals, missiles, bottle rockets and sky rockets, wheels, spinners, wings, sparklers, roman candles, smoke items, 500 gram cakes, assortments.

Walmart Supercenter2850 Maple Ave.2850 Maysville PikeIf you just want the basics for your Fourth of July celebration, Walmart has an excellent selection of sparklers and low-key fireworks to help your party go from bleh to bang at a low cost and without a big show.

Eagle Fireworks21860 Bridgewater Rd, Quaker City eaglefireworks.comCustomers can purchase firecrackers, tubes, roman candles, repeaters, assortments, missiles, helicopters, rockets, sparklers and fountains, reloads, racks, smoke, wheels and novelties, and parachutes.

Phantom Fireworks of Kirkersville10442 Baltimore Rd SW, Millersportfireworks.com/locations/phantom-kirkersvilleCustomers can purchase firecrackers, tubes, roman candles, repeaters, assortments, missiles, helicopters, rockets, sparklers and fountains, reloads, racks, smoke, wheels and novelties, parachutes, and much, much more.

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Don’t shoot fireworks while intoxicated this Fourth of July