The 4th Of July for most Americans is a time of: joy, family get-togethers, and most likely fireworks. There is nothing like grilling out and celebrating our nations birth and freedoms with our closest friends and relatives. Unfortunately however… these celebrations don’t always go as planned. Every year there are hundreds of house fires, Injuries, and damages cause by the use of fireworks.
The stats
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says people report more fires on the Fourth of July than on any other day in the year. From 2009 to 2013, fireworks started about 18,500 blazes.
Children are particularly at risk. Those between five to nine years old are the most likely to be hurt by fireworks. Kids 10 to 19 followed as the second most vulnerable group. In 2014 alone, firecrackers and similar explosives injured nearly 10,500 youths.
You may believe “kiddie” fireworks like sparklers or pop-pops aren’t dangerous. But even they can cause fires or serious injuries. In fact, sparklers caused more than one-quarter of fireworks-related damage in 2014. That makes a lot of sense after you hear sparklers burn at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Firework Damages to your house
Although personal injury is the most common damage caused by fireworks it is definitely not the only damage. Most of us all have anecdotal stories of fireworks going awry and damaging something. Whether its a broken window from a bottle rocket or shingles displaced from pieces hitting off your roof.
Does Home Insurance Cover Firework Damage?
If you light a firework on July Forth and it accidentally starts a fire in your house, your homeowners policy should cover you. But if you intentionally cause a fire by setting off a firecracker, don’t look for insurance to come to your aid. This also holds true if you’re using fireworks illegally.
And if a neighbor’s fireworks start a fire in your house? Your insurer likely will sue them for the loss.
Should you discover your standard homeowners policy doesn’t protect against fireworks damage, ask if an umbrella policy protects against it. This may be your best bet to get coverage.
On a related note, families.com says insurance companies often look at the following when a customer files a claim for this kind of damage:
* Type of fireworks used
* Experience and age of those using the fireworks
* Weather conditions
* Physical surroundings of where the fireworks were used
* Pyrotechnic safety precautions in place
Of course all of this is thrown out the window if the damage in question was from a neighbors firework use.
Home Firework Damage Repair
Whatever damage may be done to your home, the pros at K&P Roofing, Siding, And Home Improvement can get it back into shape in no time. Our contractors will work with you, guiding you in the insurance claims process and helping you pay for the damages to your home. Call in the pros you can trust. K&P is A+ BBB rated and has been in operation for over 20 years!