Five Tips for Fourth of July Fun

Five Tips for Fourth of July Fun:  Playing it safe around pyrotechnics isn’t the only precaution needed for Fourth of July fun, and maintaining conservative household rules during the holidays is important for both excitement and safety. As your independent agent, we care about your safety. Before gearing up for the holidays, remember the following safety tips when encountering fireworks, weekend plans and outdoor extravaganzas:

1) Keep the Fire Extinguisher Ready. Many households have fire extinguishers, though they may be inaccessible. When preparing a Fourth of July Party, place the fire extinguisher in a readily available location, and remember to keep both pyrotechnics and holiday cooking areas covered.

2) Keep Small Decorations Away from Small Hands. Children love fireworks, and the Fourth of July is often filled with outdoor parties, indoor gatherings and street-wide festivities. Remember that children may be attracted to small objects, and such objects may be choking hazards. Children should be watched throughout festivities, and small objects should always be out of reach.

3) Be mindful of your pet’s needs and the safety of your guests.  In particular, dogs (even usually friendly, loving, sweet ones) can become frightened or respond out of character to a guest’s touch, especially children.   If you are busy being a host/hostess and are unable to keep a careful eye on your pet, it may be a good idea to put him in a quiet room.  Dog bites account for about 1/3 of all homeowner liability claims, so why take a chance.

4) If you have a pool and have children/teens as guests- it may be a good idea to establish rules and invite your children to help reinforce them with their friends.  Rules such as no running around the pool, use slides and diving boards properly ( i.e, one person at a time), etc.

5) Know Your Coverage Dynamics. When comparing homeowner insurance quotes, understanding the difference between accidental and intentional damages is necessary. Most policies cover families when intentional damages–like vandalism–occur. However, some accidental damages caused by fireworks may not be covered.

Before inviting the family, friends and work pals over, engaging safety fundamentals is incredibly important.   As your insurance advisors we care about you and the things that matter most to you-your family, your home, your assets.   The holidays are for everyone, and protecting you and your loved ones guarantees holiday cheer!

If you would like a review of your homeowners or other insurance policies, please fill out the form below. Wishing you all a fun, safe and enjoyable Fourth of July!