Thousands of children will be rushed to the emergency room this Independence Day because of fireworks injuries.

Fireworks are legal to launch in Ohio during July 4 celebrations, but only under specific guidelines and on certain days, according to the state fire marshal’s office.

This year, adults in the Buckeye State can discharge fireworks labeled as “1.4G consumer” 4-11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, then again the same times July 3-7.

“Even sparklers can cause serious injuries if not handled correctly,” Anita Metheny of the fire marshal’s office said. “Always supervise their use or consider safer alternatives like glow sticks, especially for children.”

Fireworks caused $700,000 in damages last year

Statistics from the state fire marshal’s Fire Prevention Bureau show 128 fireworks incidents in Ohio in 2023 caused 22 residential building fires totaling nearly $700,000 in damages.

So far in 2024, there have been 10 incidents involving fireworks causing almost $10,000 in losses, the fire marshal’s office reported in a news release.

Fireworks were involved in more than 10,200 treated injuries nationwide in 2022, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

“Fireworks can bring joy to our celebrations, but it’s important to recognize the inherent risks that come with them as well,” Metheny said. “By being informed and following safety guidelines, we can reduce injuries and ensure a festive and safe Fourth of July for all.”

‘A sparkler can reach temperatures above 1,500 degrees’

Nearly half of all the fireworks injuries reported in Ohio last year were to bystanders, many of them children.

The ER trips mostly were caused by bottle rockets, sparklers and firecrackers, according to Dr. Anjay Khandelwal, director of the Adult and Pediatric Burn Institute at Akron Children’s.

“Many families believe sparklers are harmless and safe for young children to use,” Khandelwal said. “However, they are the most common cause of injury from fireworks in children. What families may not realize is a sparkler can reach temperatures above 1,500 degrees, which can cause serious burns or ignite clothing.”

Ohio law restricts who can launch fireworks and when

That’s why Ohio lawmakers set so many parameters when they started allowing consumers to shoot off fireworks in 2021.

Only residents over the age of 18 can launch fireworks, and they can’t be launched while in possession of or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, along with a slew of other restrictions, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

The National Safety Council provides the following tips for those who plan to set off fireworks:

• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.
• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands.
• Never light fireworks indoors.
• Only use fireworks away from people, houses and flammable material.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
• Never ignite devices in a container.
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.

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Jake Diebler and Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball have yet to add a commitment to the 2025 recruiting class, but that could be changing soon. 

Per reports Monday from On3’s Joe Tipton, the Buckeyes are one of four finalists for 2025 four-star guard Dorian Jones, who will also be deciding between Missouri, Michigan and Rutgers. He’ll announce his decision on Monday, July 1. 

A product of Richmond Heights in Cleveland, Jones also received offers from programs like Cincinnati, Dayton, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Miami, Arizona State and many more. 

Per 247Sports’ rankings, Jones is the No. 60 overall player and No. 13 shooting guard in the country and the No. 2 player in the state of Ohio.

Jones has already made an official visit to Ohio State. The Buckeyes offered him back in July 2022 when Chris Holtmann was at the helm, but the coaching change clearly hasn’t impacted his interest in OSU as a potential destination. 

It’s possible that Jones’ interest in Ohio State is a given to the proximity of campus to his home town, but Diebler has certainly been saying all the right things leading up to his first full season at the helm, including his handling of discussing the change from Holtmann when asked about it earlier this month. 

The Buckeyes will be tipping off their 2024-25 regular season in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena on Monday, Nov. 4 against the Texas Longhorns as part of the Hall of Fame Series.

“We have to turn the page and be a completely different program,” Diebler said, per Eleven Warriors. ” … I’ve been fortunate to work with and for some high-level coaches. … Having worked at every level in-between in my career, I believe is really valuable. … I believe it gives me really good perspective.”

CORTLAND, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Mary Lou Waldeck, age 85 of Cortland passed away Saturday, June 22, 2024.

She was born on November 1, 1938, to the late Earl and Alicia McCaffery McIntosh. 

Mary Lou was a loving and caring person who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was an active member of First Church of God Cortland. She enjoyed spending time quilting, reading, gardening, and attending bluegrass festivals. She would often travel to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to visit her birthplace. She will be missed by those who knew and loved her. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Carl Rudy; daughter, Melissa Rudy; stepson, Robert Waldeck; sister, Earline Pierce. 

She is survived by her children, Cheryl (Manfred) Glatz, Edward (Debra) Rudy; stepchildren, Gene Waldeck and Linda (Steve) Dann; grandchildren, Marissa (Fiancé Trenton) Glatz, Jeremy Rudy, Jeannine Waldeck, Shanna Falter, Robert Waldeck, Stephany Chronister, and Shannon Haring; siblings Georgene Stemen and Judy Clark. 

The family is in the care of Lane Funeral Home, Shafer-Winans Chapel. Online condolences can be made at www.lanefuneralhomes.com. 

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Lou Waldeck, please visit our flower store.

A television tribute will air Thursday, June 27 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.