Testimony of Sherill K. Williams, Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate — HB 253, Fireworks Legalization and Regulation

Summary

Testimony of Sherill K. Williams, President & CEO of Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate, on HB 253, Fireworks Legalization and Regulation, dated May 28, 2020, before the House Commerce and Labor Committee, in opposition to House Bill 253. The testimony states that the organization serves nearly 1 million Ohioans each year and that annually 20% of the average 10,000 serious consumer fireworks injuries are to the eye. It states that HB 253 would allow discharge of consumer fireworks in Ohio 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and that only Alaska, Wyoming, and Colorado have similar discharge provisions. It refers to a companion bill, SB 72, and to the Ohio Fireworks Safety Coalition.

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                      TESTIMONY OF SHERILL K. WILLIAMS
                    President & CEO, Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate
                    HB 253—Fireworks Legalization and Regulation
                                     May 28, 2020

Chairman Manning, Vice Chair Dean, Ranking Member Lepore-Hagan and Members of the
House Commerce and Labor Committee, thank you for allowing me to speak in opposition
of House Bill 253, which would make changes to Ohio’s fireworks law.

As President & CEO of the Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness, I represent an organization
that serves as the voice for Ohio consumers when it comes to eye health and safety. We
serve nearly 1 million Ohioans of all ages each year. We care about fireworks safety because
annually 20% of the average 10,000 serious consumer fireworks injuries are to the eye. But,
there are many other organizations that are part of our Ohio Fireworks Safety Coalition –
medical, public safety and insurance organizations - representing millions more Ohio
constituents that are also opposed to HB 253 and its companion bill, SB 72.

As you know, HB 253 would legalize discharge of consumer fireworks in Ohio. This is not
a new debate and previous General Assemblies have seen fit to keep the current prohibition
in place. In reviewing data from other states, it is clear that legalization of fireworks
discharge would lead to an increase in injuries and emergency room visits.

There have been many unexpected changes in Ohio and the world since we provided
opposition testimony to this Committee on February 5th. Legalizing fireworks discharge in
Ohio will negatively impact the time, effort and PPE resources available for patients affected
by COVID-19 and other health needs. Passage of a bill that has a direct connection to an
increase in serious injuries seen in our emergency rooms is a stark contrast to the hard work
that the Governor and General Assembly have put forth to maintain the health and safety of
Ohioans.

Further, as we have seen in past attempts to legalize fireworks discharge, no consumer
groups have spoken in favor of allowing consumers to discharge 1.4g fireworks. We
understand that the fireworks industry has legitimate concerns and policy changes outside
of discharge and would encourage the legislature to focus on these pro-business policies and
leave discharge out.
If enacted, HB 253 would allow discharge of consumer fireworks including bottle rockets,
missiles, roman candles and firecrackers in the state of Ohio 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, 365 days a year. Only Alaska, Wyoming, and Colorado have similar, expansive
discharge provisions in their state statutes. This is quite a dramatic shift from our current
position as one of the safest states.

If we listen and learn from other states that have recently lifted their consumer discharge
ban, our fears will likely be realized – the state of Iowa just experienced its first summer of
legal consumer fireworks use after a decades-long ban in 2018. Injuries due to backyard
fireworks increased by 163% over the previous three-year average. And, while 67% of
Iowans were in favor of consumer fireworks before the ban was lifted, only 47% were in
favor after.

Safety and public health advocates urge you to carefully consider the price that Ohioans will
have to pay in terms of property, health, well-being and future productivity with passage of
this bill. While many say that use of fireworks represents personal freedom, we must
remember that nearly half of those seriously injured are innocent bystanders … people
minding their own business and having their lives damaged by the action of others. One-
third of injuries are to children.

I am positive that no one on this committee wishes to see emergency rooms burdened and
more Ohioans injured. First responders don’t want this bill. Medical and safety
professionals don’t want this bill. And, neither do pet owners and Vets, many of whom
suffer a severe reaction when surprised by the sound of explosions. Thank you for your time
and I am happy to answer any questions you may have.


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