COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Less than a week from now, fireworks will be lighting up the night sky and people will celebrate our nation's Independence Day. But you may want to do some research before you go to stock up your fireworks supply.
If you're like Joe Uhl and his 12-year-old son, Michael, you live for July 4; especially those fireworks. "It's really cool to see them in the night sky," says Michael.
They spent their Sunday at Phantom Fireworks in Kirkersville stocking up for the big night. "Some rockets and stuff that makes a big bang. Stuff that goes up high and really shows off," says Joe.
They weren't alone. Anthony Dailey of Columbus was looking for "Little bit of this, little bit of that. Something that's gonna make some noise." Dave Dorsey, another firework enthusiast says, "I like mortar
shells. Kids like them but they can't touch them. They like the sprinklers and stuff like that."
Unemployment may be high, and the economy may be sluggish, but Thomas Bigham, Assistant Manager of Phantom Fireworks says business isn't just fine, it's great. "We haven't seen a decrease in sales and we're hoping the 4th is booming again."
But just because fireworks are sold in Ohio, it doesn't mean they're all legal to set off here. Sparklers and smoke bombs are fine, but bottle rockets and larger rockets are illegal. If you do buy fireworks that are illegal to set off in Ohio, you'll have to sign a form in which you promise to take them out of the state within 48 hours. Those breaking the law can face six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
But most importantly, regardless of how small or how big of firework your setting off, officials say practice safety.
To see a list of the fireworks that are legal and illegal to set off in Ohio, visit http://www.com.ohio.gov/fire/docs/Fireworksfactsheet09_000.pdf.
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