July 4th Liability: 5 Exposures to Avoid

Independence Day is among the most celebrated holidays in the United States. Patriotic sentiment combined with favorable summer weather makes for a weekend of celebration and partying around the country. However, as with any other time of the year, partying comes with its own unique liability risks. Independence Day is notorious for an increase in claim activity. Here are some common liability exposures you might want to avoid this Independence Day.

#1: Boating Accidents

Summertime brings more people out to the lake than any other time of the year. An increase in boats leads to an increase in risk of boating accidents. The combination of inexperienced boat drivers with a partying environment is a potential recipe for disaster.

According to the American Boating Association (ABA), July 4th is often the most dangerous time to be on a boat. The Coast Guard Auxiliary reports that combined with Labor Day and Memorial Day, July 4th liability accidents account for over a third of total registered claims throughout the year.

Although this is a grim statistic to share in lieu of an otherwise exciting holiday, it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected. The use of life jackets can make the difference in an emergency. According to the ABA, 80 percent of boating-related deaths involved individuals not wearing life jackets.

Make sure your boat is equipped with proper safety equipment and that your equipment is functioning properly. To learn more about proper boat safety to prevent July 4th liability, visit the ABA.

#2: Use of Fireworks

Fireworks are perhaps the largest July 4th liability risk that underwriters worry about. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fireworks started an estimated 19,500 fires in 2018 and contributed to over $105 million in direct property damage.

Outside of causing significant property damage, fireworks carry liability risk as well. Burns are the most common accidents caused by misuse of fireworks while sparklers are the most common culprit for liability accidents.

For more information on safely handling fireworks, visit the American Pyrotechnics Association.

#3: Grilling Mishaps

Grilling is another popular summer activity that can go unexpectedly wrong if you are not prepared for the worst. According to the US Fire Administration (USFA), grill fires account for $37 million in residential property damages per year, causing 10 deaths and over 100 injuries per year.

Usually, the cause of these grill fires stem from a lack of proper maintenance and cleaning. Per the USFA, mechanical failure, operational deficiency and misuse of grills accounted for igniting almost 90% of all grill fires. Make sure to regularly clean your grill after each use and that you practice proper handling of materials in your respective grilling environment.

#4: Impaired Drivers

Impaired drives present another big threat on holiday weekends. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 1,339 drivers were killed on the 4th of July between 2015 and 2019, 38% of which were drunk.

If you plan to celebrate with alcohol, it’s important to have a plan beforehand and to stick to it. In accordance with the 4th of July, local communities are supporting the NHTSA’s buzzed driving is drunk driving initiative to spread awareness to drivers around the country of the risks of impaired driving during holiday periods. To learn more, visit the NHTSA’s campaign website.

#5: Drowning Risk

Perhaps a lesser-known risk to be aware of during Independence Day is the risk of drowning. As with most other parties during the summer, risk of drowning is relevant to any party whether it be at the beach, in the backyard pool or at the river. According to the CDC, almost 4,000 people die from unintentional drowning per year, including boating-related drowning incidents.

While drowning may seem like a relatively unlikely occurrence, it is especially relevant when people are consuming alcohol. Alcohol not only impairs one’s ability to process and think quickly but can impair motor skills and reaction time, making it more difficult to swim or tread water. According to the NCBI, alcohol is detected in the blood of 30-70% of drowning victims and is the overwhelming cause of drowning-related deaths.

Know your consumption limits and drink responsibly. If you go swimming, make sure to do it under the supervision of a friend or partner in case of emergency. If you’re hosting a pool party or kids will be swimming, consider hiring a lifeguard for your event.

Learn More About July 4th Liability Risk

Independence Day is an exciting time to enjoy beautiful summer weather and celebrate our great country’s freedom. By being aware of common July 4th liability risks and preparing accordingly, you can enjoy your festivities safely.

Want to learn more about insurance for your July 4th liability risks? Contact BNC today.