July 4th is one of the best days of the year in Minnesota — and consistently one of the worst for fire claims. Fireworks, grilling, backyard bonfires, and sparklers all peak on the same day, and the claims that result range from minor deck damage to total losses. A few things worth knowing before the holiday weekend.
What's Actually Legal in Minnesota
Minnesota has some of the stricter consumer fireworks laws in the Midwest. Under Minn. Stat. § 624.20, legal consumer fireworks are limited to non-explosive, non-aerial items:
- Sparklers (wire or wood, up to 100 grams of pyrotechnic composition)
- Fountains, cones, and ground-based sparkling devices
- Snakes, party poppers, smoke devices
Illegal in Minnesota: anything that leaves the ground or explodes. Bottle rockets, Roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers, M-80s — all prohibited statewide under Minn. Stat. § 624.21. You must be 18 or older to purchase legal consumer fireworks. Violations can result in misdemeanor charges.
Cities can impose stricter rules on top of state law. Many Twin Cities suburbs have local ordinances that further restrict when and where even legal fireworks can be used. Check your city's rules before the holiday. Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and other suburbs in the metro have their own ordinances worth verifying.
A bill is working through the Minnesota legislature in 2026 to legalize consumer-grade aerial fireworks statewide — but as of now, the current restrictions remain in effect. Until the law changes, aerial fireworks remain illegal regardless of where you purchased them or what other states allow.
The Insurance Angle: Legal Status Matters for Coverage
This is the part most people don't think about until it's too late.
If legal fireworks cause damage to your home
A stray ember from a legal sparkler or fountain that ignites your deck, your roof, or your landscaping is a covered loss under a standard homeowners policy — fire is a named peril. Your deductible applies, and the claim goes on your record, but coverage exists.
If illegal fireworks cause damage to your own property
This is where it gets complicated. Most homeowners policies exclude losses caused by illegal acts or intentional actions. If you set off illegal aerial fireworks and they start a fire that damages your home, your insurer may deny the claim on those grounds. "I didn't intend to start a fire" is a difficult argument when the firework itself was illegal to possess. This isn't a hypothetical — carriers review claim circumstances, and the presence of illegal fireworks at a fire site is exactly the kind of detail that leads to a coverage dispute.
If a neighbor's fireworks damage your property
Your own homeowners policy generally covers the damage regardless of the source. File with your carrier and let them determine whether to pursue subrogation against the neighbor's liability coverage. If the neighbor's insurer denies on illegal acts grounds, your own policy remains your recovery path.
Grilling — The Other Major July 4th Claim Driver
Grill fires cause thousands of homeowners claims every year, and they peak in summer. A few things that consistently contribute to grill fires:
- Grills positioned too close to the house, fence, or deck railing
- Grease buildup in the drip tray that ignites
- Starting a propane grill with the lid closed (gas accumulates)
- Leaving a lit grill unattended
- Grilling on a covered porch or enclosed deck
A grill fire that spreads to the deck or structure is a covered homeowners loss. But it also involves a deductible, a claims record that stays with you for three to five years, and potential rate impact at renewal. Keeping the grill 10 feet from the house and cleaning the drip tray before a holiday cookout costs nothing. Filing a claim costs more than most people think.
Sparklers and Kids — A Specific Hazard Worth Naming
Sparklers burn at temperatures around 1,800°F — hot enough to cause serious burns and to ignite clothing or dry grass. They account for a disproportionate share of fireworks injuries, particularly among children, despite being among the most widely used "safe" fireworks. Supervise closely, designate a clear area away from dry vegetation, and have water or a bucket of sand nearby. The same applies to fountains and cones.
A Few Practical Notes for the Weekend
A claim we handled at the agency: An insured cleaned up after their 4th of July and put the used fireworks in their trash bin. One must have still been smoldering — it ignited the bin, which spread to the garage, which spread to the house. A total loss situation that started with what seemed like routine cleanup.
The rule: when in doubt, leave them out. Before disposing of any used fireworks, hose them down thoroughly with water. Then place them in a metal can — not a plastic bin — for disposal. Plastic trash bins are fuel. A metal container with water-soaked fireworks is not.
- Check your deductible before deciding whether to file a claim for small fire damage. A $2,500 deductible and a $3,000 repair often don't justify a claim given the rate impact.
- Know where your homeowners policy is — carrier name, policy number, claims phone number. The holiday weekend is not the time to search for your declarations page.
- Keep a hose or bucket of water handy when using any fireworks or open flame. The damage difference between a fire caught in the first 60 seconds and one that burns for three minutes is significant.
- Don't store fireworks in the garage — if a fire starts elsewhere, stored fireworks can complicate a claim and accelerate a fire dramatically.
Tom Wertish
President & AgentTom founded Options Insurance in 2014. He works with homeowners across the Twin Cities metro on homeowners insurance, claims decisions, and making sure coverage fits the way people actually live. If you have questions about what's covered going into a holiday weekend, that's what we're here for.
Wondering whether a fire or damage claim is worth filing? Our homeowners cost post covers how claims history affects your premium.
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