Happy Fourth of July!  

400,000 INSPECTIONS AND 35,000 GRANTS LATER, MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME SIGN-UPS COME TO AN END

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink announced that the My Safe Florida Home program will meet the Florida Legislature’s goal of approving 400,000 homeowners for free wind inspections a full year ahead of schedule. The program will cease to take new applications in the next few days.

In 2007, the Florida Legislature directed the MSFH program to provide inspections for at least 400,000 site-built, single-family, residential properties and provide grants to at least 35,000 applicants before June 30, 2009. The popular first-come, first-serve program is averaging over 5,000 new sign-ups a day leading up to today’s announcement and previously met grant goals in May.

“When the Florida Legislature created the My Safe Florida Home program, their intent was to create a culture of mitigation in our state,” said CFO Alex Sink. “Almost half a million homes later, homeowners served by this program are better informed and most are better prepared for the next big storm.”

Participating homeowners received a free wind inspection report, which suggests ways homeowners can harden their homes against storm damage and informs homeowners if they are currently eligible to save money on their wind insurance premiums. To date, 58 percent of homeowners who have received a free wind inspection were eligible for discounts on their wind insurance premiums averaging $219.31 statewide. To date, the MSFH program, including local government and non-profits, has approved approximately 39,000 homeowners for mitigation grants and has paid 18,787 grants totaling more than $63.8 million.

“The My Safe Florida Home program has proven to be a success for Florida homeowners, especially for those that live in the most vulnerable areas of our state,” Senator Charlie Justice said. “It is an honor to have worked with CFO Alex Sink to make sure that as many homeowners as possible benefited from this program. It is my hope that the Legislature finds a way to continue helping Florida’s families strengthen their homes.”

Any Floridian who lives in a single-family, site-built home was eligible for a free wind inspection through the MSFH program. Homeowners who received free wind inspections through the MSFH program received a detailed inspection report, complete with additional information on estimated insurance premium discounts, if the homeowner is eligible.

CFO SINK AND EMERGENCY MANAGERS URGE FIREWORKS SAFETY THIS FOURTH OF JULY

Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Alex Sink today joined State Emergency Management officials in urging Floridians to observe fire safety rules and follow fireworks laws as they celebrate this Fourth of July.

“As we gather this Friday to celebrate America’s Independence, I urge Floridians and visitors to take the proper fire safety precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones,” said CFO Sink. “All fireworks can be dangerous, and that makes it all the more crucial the public utilize only state approved fireworks for their celebrations.”

Nearly 10,000 Americans were treated for fireworks related injuries in emergency rooms last year. In Florida alone, fire departments responded to 137 fires related to fireworks and sparklers, resulting in more than $400,000 in damages during 2007.

“The Fourth of July is a time for Floridians to come together and enjoy family and friends, but unfortunately many end up visiting emergency rooms,” said State Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate. “We want our residents and visitors to celebrate safely this weekend.”

Under Florida law, only sparklers, approved by CFO Sink’s Division of State Fire Marshal, are legal for consumer usage. However, an exemption in the law allows for the use of un-approved fireworks for agricultural purpose, such as freighting birds from fish hatcheries. Anyone using fireworks under the agricultural exemption must have a permit from the Sheriff in the county where they will use the product. Without a permit, it is illegal to use fireworks in Florida, which include: shells and mortars, multiple tube devices, Roman candles, rockets and firecrackers.

As a general guideline, anything that flies through the air or explodes is not allowed for consumer use. Floridians should not sign “waivers” in order to purchase fireworks. Signing a waiver will not clear a consumer of responsibility should you be caught illegally using fireworks, which is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

There is still a risk of injury with the use of legal sparklers. When lit, some sparklers can reach temperatures between 1,300 and 1,800 degrees - at least 200 degrees hotter than a standard butane lighter. For a list of hundreds of sparklers that are legal to use in Florida, as well as safety tips, visit the State Fire Marshal’s web site at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/sfm/sparklerindex.htm for a list of approved sparklers.

To celebrate safely, CFO Sink advises Floridians to follow these precautions:

• Use sparklers and other legal novelties on a flat, hard surface.

• Do not light them on grass.

• Use sparklers in an open area. Keep children and pets at least 30 feet away from all ignited sparklers.

• Light only one item at a time and never attempt to re-light a “dud.”

• Don’t use any unwrapped items or items that may have been tampered with.

• Keep a fire extinguisher or water hose on-hand for emergencies. It’s a good idea to drop used sparklers in a bucket of water.

• Only purchase fireworks from licensed vendors.
  Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

• Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.

• Never carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot them off in metal or glad containers.