Setting Off Home Fireworks: Be Safe
Every year in Canada and the United States thousands of people go to hospital with injuries suffered in home fireworks shows. If you host a home fireworks show and someone is injured because of your negligence you might face a lawsuit for damages.
The best defence against a potential claim like this is adequate home insurance. Your home insurance protects you when a guest is injured on your property. Having insurance with adequate limits is the key to avoiding having to pay damages personally. Many people only have $1 million of insurance on their homes. If a guest of yours is so seriously injured that they can no longer work, $1 million might not be enough to protect you. It is surprisingly cheap to increase your limits. It is a good idea to discuss increasing your limits with your broker.
Only adults should handle fireworks. Handling them while impaired by alcohol or drugs is a bad idea. Keep your guests well back. Light the fireworks on a hard, flat and level surface to ensure stability. Wear protective eyewear and gloves. These are just some of the key safety tips for handling fireworks. If you are going to be hosting a fireworks show this year, take the time to read the complete “Fireworks Safety Tips” from the Canada Safety Council found by clicking here.
About the Authors
Troy Lehman joined Oatley Vigmond in 2006 and became a partner in 2010. As a personal injury lawyer, his greatest satisfaction comes from helping people through to the other side of a difficult time in their lives. “We’re here to help and relieve stress,” Troy says. “When I walk into a first meeting with a client, people are often scared and anxious. And for me, the best thing that can happen at the end of the meeting is that they say, ‘I feel so much better.’