New Year’s Eve is a night filled with plenty of toasts and firework shows, but officials say it’s important to use common sense while celebrating. 

“No pointing fireworks at individuals, other people, houses, anything flammable. Don't hold a firework as you're igniting it,” Captain Justin Martin of the Champion Township Fire Department said. 

With a chance of showers going into Tuesday night - the risk of a firework fire could be lower both because of the rain fall and the wet landscape. But that doesn’t completely eliminate the chance of danger.

“When you catch a structure on fire, a lot of things can happen,” Captain Martin said. “...are people sleeping? Are they notified? So, anytime you think of anything causing a fire, that's a big situation for us.”

Only those 18 and older can set off fireworks between the hours of 4 p.m. New Year's Eve and 1 a.m. New Year's Day. Captain Martin says to have a bucket of water or extinguisher close by to act quickly against spot fires on grass.

If you’re not setting off fireworks to ring in the new year, you might be raising a glass, but after the ball drops and it’s time to head home, be sure not to get behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

“Just make a plan before you go out…rideshare programs are fantastic having a sober driver or designated driver,” Sergeant Benjamin Barnard of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said. 

In 2024, OSP responded to nearly 200 OVI crashes in Trumbull County. Nine of those crashes were fatal. 

OSP in Trumbull County will be fully staffed Tuesday night to monitor the heavy traffic - but they could also use your tips to help keep the roads safe. 

If you suspect someone is driving impaired, you can call #677 to report a dangerous driver anonymously. 

“Giving the location, the direction of travel, maybe vehicle information,” Sergeant  Barnard said about calling the tip line. “We can’t do it alone; the community can definitely make a difference…just giving us that good information is going to go a long way with us in helping us catch that individual.”