This weekend people all over the Tri-State will celebrate America’s independence in a number of ways.

Several communities in Lawrence County will have festivals, like Family Fun Days in Coal Grove and Party in the Park in South Point. Ashland will host its annual Summer Motion and Huntington also has several community events throughout the weekend. Most of these events will cap off with large fireworks displays.

We encourage Tri-State residents to take in these beautiful displays, which are put on by experienced professionals.

While Ohio residents can purchase consumer fireworks, it is still against the law to discharge those in the state. You must transport all fireworks — firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, etc. — purchased in Ohio out of the state within 48 hours of the purchase. The only items that can be used in Ohio are designated “trick and novelty” which smoke, pop, and/or sparkle.

This is a law that people disregard every year, and breaking that law can get people hurt, or even worse.

An elderly Proctorville couple died in their home last year as a result of what investigators believed to have been a fire caused by embers from fireworks.

Unfortunately, an innocent family had to pay the price for someone else’s disregard for the law.

Everyone knows that fireworks are a fun and patriotic way to celebrate the Fourth of July, but there are laws restricting the use of some specific types and those laws are in place for a reason.

Please keep that in mind as you celebrate the Fourth of July weekend. Plenty of fun can be had by all while still abiding by the law.