July 4th has passed, and hopefully, you had a great time celebrating everything this holiday brings with family and friends.
While celebrating with fireworks can be fun, it can also lead to unintentional damage to your home if you’re not careful. If you noticed some damage to your roof from fireworks, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
In this guide, we’ll provide tips on protecting your home, managing firework damage to your roof, and more!
Protecting Your Home From Firework Damage
Fireworks are a traditional part of celebrations, particularly during Independence Day. However, it’s important to know the potential risks they pose to your home.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks started an estimated 12,264 fires in 2021, causing 29 civilian injuries and $59 million in direct property damage.
Ensure you know the potential damage fireworks can cause to your home and loved ones, be proactive, and take the necessary precautions! Protect your home with our recommended steps below:
Follow Your Local Firework Regulations
It is worth noticing that there are federal regulations and codes regarding consumer firework use for safety measures.
Specific laws regarding firework use are relevant to your area and are there for your safety and accident prevention. Ensure you know your local laws, which may prohibit firework use altogether in certain areas.
Other regulations may provide specific distance and firework types guidelines for safe usage.
Clear the Area
If local guidelines allow firework usage, ensure your property is cleared before lighting fireworks.
Make sure your surroundings are clear by removing dry leaves and debris that could catch fire with ease. Creating a clear and safe space can significantly reduce the risks of accidental fires and injuries.
Clean Greenery
In addition to clearing away flammable debris, address low-hanging limbs and dry leaves in your gutter, as these can be potential problem areas you will want to address before your home firework show.
Inspect your property, and prepare your home properly with trimmed limbs and cleaned-out gutters!
Douse Your Roof
Now that you have followed your local guidelines and cleared your gutters, debris, and anything that could catch flames from your home, why not be extra cautious?
Before your firework show, use a hose to water down your roof! If you are shooting fireworks near your home, there is a chance an ember or firework remains lands on your rooftop.
Proactive measures like this could keep an accident from becoming out of control.
Consult With Professionals
Are you worried about areas on your roof that may need attention? In prep for your fireworks display, call a trusted local roofing company to assist you and give a proper full inspection to detect any damage beforehand.
Next, we will discuss measures you can take to manage firework damage to your roof.
Steps To Managing Firework Damage
Let’s say an accident occurs in your fireworks display, damaging your home exterior. A replacement may be necessary in extreme cases, whereas repairs can be made in milder situations.
What should you do next?
In this section, we’ll cover everything you need to know about managing firework damage.
Awareness
If you plan to set off fireworks near your property, ensure you know the potential damages they cause.
While materials used in roofing today mitigate the damages caused by fire damage, it is best to be aware that your home is vulnerable to burns, punctures, ash, and failing materials caused by heat exposure.
Check for any potential signs of fire damage, such as charring or shingles with discoloration and brittle exteriors. While these conditions are observable, there could also be internal problems relating to the embers.
Contact Your Local Roofing Experts
It is best to seek professional assistance to understand the extent of the damages from fireworks. Keep your roof in great condition, and don’t take any chances on the integrity of your home.
A trusted roofing company can guide you in assessing the full extent of damages and determining the next steps for your home! They can also advise on materials needed to restore your roof, the process of repairs, and safety precautions within your local building codes.
Now that you understand how to manage firework damage, our next step is to discuss insurance.
Will Insurance Cover Fire Damage Your Home?
Fire damage to your home is typically covered in your homeowner’s insurance policy. However, you will want to check the language in your policy to be sure it covers firework damage.
Here are some general points regarding insurance and fire damage from fireworks.
Homeowners Insurance Coverage
A typical homeowner policy can provide two sources of coverage. We’ll discuss these below.
Property Coverage:
In the case of damage from fireworks, homeowners insurance generally will provide coverage. Homeowners insurance can cover your home and things inside. Understand that varying deductibles may leave you responsible for some damage costs.
Liability Coverage:
Liability coverage protects you if you’re liable for injury or property damage. For example, if someone is injured from an errant firework on your property, your coverage should come into play.
However, limitations can occur if illegal fireworks or intentional acts are involved. In that case, you may not be covered.
We will cover potential exceptions and exclusions in your coverage below.
Exceptions and Exclusions
Being aware of potential exceptions and exclusions in your insurance policy is critical.
While homeowners’ and renters’ insurance generally covers fire damage caused by fireworks, there are limitations to consider.
Illegal Fireworks:
As mentioned, ensure you adhere to all local laws and regulations regarding firework use. Doing so can help you avoid denials in your coverage.
Policies will often exclude coverage for damage or injuries resulting from illegal activities.
Intentional Acts and Wrongful Behavior:
It is also worth noting that insurance policies will only sometimes cover intentional acts. For example, an intentional act could entail a deliberate act, such as aiming a firework at someone or their property.
Insurance coverage is generally reserved for incidents and unintentional damages.
Policy Interpretations:
Exclusions and interpretations of your policy language can vary between insurers and states.
The specific circumstances, types of fireworks used, and the interpretation of exclusions by the state can all affect the outcome of your insurance coverage.
Be sure to review your insurance policy, consult with your insurance agent, and familiarize yourself with state and local laws to understand the details of coverage and any potential exclusions related to fire damage caused by fireworks.
Every insurance policy is different, so be sure to request personal guidance from your provider in case a disclaimer is issued.
Take these proactive steps and protect your property and liabilities appropriately.
Roofing in Mount Juliet
Ensure your roof remains in top condition and withstands any potential dangers of your fireworks show with Austermiller Roofing.
With 30 years of experience in residential and commercial roofing services, we offer a comprehensive display of roof construction, reroofing, and repair services in middle Tennessee.
Have questions or looking for a free quote? Fill out our online form or call us at (615) 553-2041. We will reach out to you as quickly as we can.