Fourth of July Safety Tips for Home and Family

Gearing up for a fun Fourth of July? While fireworks are exciting, be sure to keep your home and family safe with the following tips: Check Your Coverage! Basic home insurance covers fire, but if the fire starts as a result of fireworks set off by your family, you may not be covered if fireworks are illegal in your area. Check your coverage - and your city laws. Fireworks are illegal in the city of San Antonio, but legal in Bexar County, so make sure you are in an unincorporated part of the county before setting them off. Firework Safety

Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.

Courtesy for Veterans While Independence Day is a fun time for many of us, there are members of our community who have difficulty this time of year, specifically Veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can be triggered by the sound of fireworks exploding. Through an initiative by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, signs may appear on lawns in your neighborhood asking “Please be courteous with fireworks”. These signs indicate that the household includes a Veteran with PTSD - be on the lookout and keep our soldiers in mind as you celebrate. Advanced warning can help a great deal, so consider informing your neighbors if you’ll be setting off fireworks. Pets Animals handle loud noises differently, and to some of our furry friends, the Fourth of July can be terrifying! Leave your pets at home if you’re attending a party, and leave them inside if you’re celebrating at home. Make sure pets have proper identification in case they run, and never use fireworks around your pets.

SOURCES: http://www.netquote.com/home-insurance/fourth-of-july-firework-safety http://www.petmd.com/dog/seasonal/evr_multi_top_ten_fourth_of_july_pet_safety_tips http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Top-4th-of-July-Safety-Steps-for-Travel-Grilling-and-Fireworks http://www.axs.com/fireworks-laws-in-san-antonio-60001 http://time.com/3945001/fireworks-ptsd/