In general, Ohio is a fairly safe state. The biggest threat to visitors is the weather and potential for traffic accidents. However take normal precautions against crime. Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo are ranked among the worst 20 cities in America in terms of violent crime rates, though in reality these incidents are largely confined to certain neighborhoods or blocks within each city. You are unlikely to experience any problems if you remain aware of your surroundings and act with common sense. If unsure about safety, ask a local.
Ohioans passed "SmokeFree Ohio" ballot measure in 2006 banning smoking in most public areas with very few exceptions. Hotels that have designated smoking rooms in hotels, motels, and other lodging facilities may still allow smoking in smoking rooms under the new law. Restaurants and bars are forbidden from allowing smoking or ashtrays on their premises unless they have an outdoor patio.
If you're at a place that is in violation of the law you can report the violation to the Ohio Department of Health by calling the toll-free number: 1-866-559-6446. Alternatively, you can email a complaint to [email protected]. You must include the following information for a complaint to be followed up on: the business' name, nature of the complaint, a complete address; including the street number, street name, city and zip code.
Even if you are driving through Ohio, in the winter months you want to make sure that you have enough clothes to keep you warm in the event you have difficulties. Temperatures often get below -0- F. Drivers heading into Ohio from the South will want to make sure their vehicles are prepared for freezing weather. Have the antifreeze in your radiator checked as well as replacing any widow washer solvent with a product that will not freeze. Be prepared with extra warm clothes, shoes, head cover and gloves.
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Despite what you may have heard, Ohio is very diverse with regional dialects. In the middle of the state, especially Dayton and Columbus, many people speak what is commonly known as General American Dialect, or Standard Midwestern Dialect. Around Cleveland and Toledo people speak with what is known as the Northern Cities Vowel shift of same dialect, sounding way more like a Chicagoan think Da Bears from Saturday Night Live for a really exaggerated example.
In the Amish Country between Cleveland and Columbus English is actually a second language for the Amish populations with Pennsylvania Dutch, their first. Pretty much all Amish speak English outside of the home but with a distinct accent.
In inner cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus there are hundreds of thousands of African-Americans who speak what is called Black English Vernacular. As you move South and Southeast, you may encounter those who speak Southern American English-- especially in the Greater Cincinnati Metropolitan Area. White non Appalachian populations in the Greater Cincinnati area have a slight dialect differences influenced by their heavily German population with a few local colloquialisms like âPony Kegâ for Convenience Store, and using âPlease?â instead of âWhat?â when asking someone to repeat themselves.