As American as apple pie, white picket fences, and a number of other cliches is one simple truth: we like to blow things up.
That’s not a political statement. We’re talking about the kinds of explosions that light up the night sky in shades of red, white, and blue (among others); drive the neighborhood dogs nuts when accompanied by loud bangs; and usually serve as the backdrop to star-spangled celebrations full of hot dogs and flags.
Yes, we’re talking about the American obsession with fireworks. And obsession is the right word. By 2028, the size of the fireworks market in the U.S. is expected to top $3.3 billion annually. And that’s just on the legal side of things.
But in between the “oooh”s and “aaah”s, a lot of trouble can unfold. As you head into this year’s Independence Day festivities, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Fireworks damage homeowners insurance coverage depends on the type of firework.
In the process of blowing things up in pursuit of pretty pyrotechnics, accidents happen. If those accidents involve a firework that is legal to explode in the state of Illinois, your homeowner’s insurance will likely cover any associated damages. If, however, the firework in question is not legal in Illinois, your policy might not be able to help. In such cases, civil legal action might be required.
This may also be a reason for you to consider an umbrella policy add-on to your homeowner’s insurance. Depending on how you typically celebrate around this time of year, you’ll want to make sure you’re protected should things go sideways.
You really don’t want to go to the ER around the Fourth of July.
It should come as no surprise that mixing people with explosives leads to some injuries, but – far and away – more people in the U.S. visit the ER on the days surrounding the Fourth of July than on any other day of the year.
Nobody likes going to the ER, but those trips become even more exasperating when you’re stuck waiting for hours to be seen. That frustration only gets compounded when you realize the trip could have been avoided altogether.
This holiday season, make sure you’re taking every possible precaution to keep folks safe. Water should be kept close by. Anything being lit off should be placed far away from spectators and anything flammable. Age should be a significant consideration when determining who handles the fireworks in the first place.
Don’t let libations cause a different kind of bang.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a country song about the Fourth of July that doesn’t allude to a nice cold beer. By all means – enjoy a brew! But keep in mind the risks that come with this particular holiday.
Though we often think about New Year’s Eve as the most dangerous drunk driving holiday, Mothers Against Drunk Driving points out drunk driving surges by more than 39% during the Fourth of July. That can result in as many as one death every 24 minutes.
Keep your own consumption in check, and when in doubt, call for that Uber or sober friend. If you’re hosting, consider collecting keys at the door. Not only can this keep the people you love safe but it can also help shield you from liability claims arising from guests driving under the influence.