If you have been identified as an intrastate motor carrier by the Massachusetts State Police, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section, please be aware that as of September 1, 2018, you will be required to obtain and display a USDOT number per 540 CMR 2.22, the Commercial Marking section of the Registry of Motor Vehicles regulations.

This applies to motor carriers operating the following motor vehicles:

• Engaged in intrastate commerce having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds; or
• Used in the transportation of hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding; or
• Designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, used in intrastate commerce in Massachusetts.

If your company operates this type of vehicle it must be permanently marked with a USDOT number that conforms to the provisions of 49 CFR 390.21.

To obtain a USDOT Number, we urge you to click here. There, you may follow the Registrations links that will enable you to obtain an intrastate USDOT number. Your company will be issued a USDOT number that will be displayed on all CMV s as defined above that your company operates, including leased vehicles. There is no charge to obtain this number from the USDOT-FMCSA.

After September 1, 2018, failure to obtain and display a USDOT Number on your vehicles may result in a civil fine and/or placing your CMVs Out of Service until such time as your company obtains a USDOT Number.

Whether your company operates intrastate, meaning you conduct business solely within Massachusetts or operates interstate, conducting business in other states; you must obtain your DOT number directly on­ line.

If you have questions regarding the federal website, you may call the FMCSA at 1-800-832-5660.

Legal Business Name - This is the legal name of the business entity that owns/controls the Motor Carrier operation. The name should be the full legal business name (the name on the incorporation certificate, partnership agreement, tax records, etc.). For example, if the company is a:

• Sole Proprietorship/Individual, enter the legal name, e.g., “John A. Doe”
• Partnership, enter the legal names of all partners, e.g., "John A. Doe and Jane B. Smith”
• Corporation, enter the name on the incorporation certificate (this name must include the type of corporation), e.g., “John Doe INC”, “John Doe LLC”.
• Doing Business AS (DBA) Name — When the company's trade name is different from the company's official legal business name. For example, if “John A. Doe" is the company's official business name, but the trade name, or “Doing Business As" name, is "John's Trucking Company.

Principal Place of Business — Enter the physical address of where the company is engaged in business operations related to the transportation of persons or property and where safety records are regularly maintained. A Post Office (P.O.) Box is Not accepted for Principal Place of Business Address.

How do I update my Intrastate or Interstate DOT Number? You must update your information online here.

How do I re-activate my existing DOT number? You must update your information here

What is the difference between interstate commerce and intrastate commerce? - If you perform trade, traffic, or transportation exclusively in your business's domicile state, this is considered intrastate commerce.

If your trade, traffic, or transportation is one of the following, this is considered interstate commerce.

• Between a place in a state and a place outside of such state (including a place outside of the United States)
• Between two places in a state through another state or a place outside of the United States
• Between two places in a state as part of trade, traffic, or transportation originating or terminating outside the state or the United States

Should each terminal operation or branch of a corporation register for a USDOT number? - A USDOT number usually applies to the company, not a particular branch office or vehicle. Generally, the corporate office or headquarters should register the company, and should inform its branches of the USDOT number.

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) - Commercial vehicle motor carriers that conduct interstate commerce are required to pay unified carrier registration (UCR) filing fees annually based upon their fleet size and can register online here. (link www.ucr.in.gov no follow, target new page ).

Department of Public Utilities (DPU) - Companies for hire that move passengers, household goods, or conduct police ordered or trespass tows are regulated by the DPU and information on DPU authority can be found here.

For more information on commercial vehicles insurance or requirements, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

College is expensive enough without the added cost of unexpected accidents or theft, not covered by your insurance policy. If you have a student heading away to school, below are a few tips to help you get the most out of your coverage.

HOMEOWNERS (varies by state)

Items such as jewelry or expensive electronics, require special coverage and may not covered by the parents’ homeowner policy. Renter's insurance is strongly recommended for college students.

Liability Coverage: General damage to a dorm room or apartment is not usually covered.

Documentation: Creating an inventory of the items your child is taking to school is a good idea. Use photographs and keep receipts.

AUTO (varies by state)

Car Stays Home: Keep your child listed on your auto policy if they will still drive your car while at home on school breaks.

Car at School: Make sure to notify us if your child will be taking a car away to school. In most cases, if the car is registered to you and listed on your policy, it will be covered.

Driving a Friend’s Car: Students are generally covered if they are listed on their parent’s policy and are not regularly using the vehicle. The coverage would be secondary. The insurance for the friend’s vehicle would be the primary coverage.

Discounts: A full-time student meeting certain academic requirements can qualify for a good student discount. Distant student discounts may also be available. Drivers under 21 who have completed driver’s education may also get a discount.

Before your child leaves for school, call Lallis & Higgins Insurance or contact us here. We can walk you through the steps to ensure you have the right coverage. We’re here to help!

College students can take simple steps to protect their belongings from theft and loss when heading to school this fall.

For a college student, experiencing the loss of a bike, laptop or mobile phone is not only an inconvenience, but can be a big hit to the pocketbook. Taking basic precautions can help prevent theft or loss and help students avoid unnecessary stress while away at school.

According to the U.S. Department of Education's campus safety and security analysis tool, burglary is a top criminal offense at colleges and universities.

If you're a victim of theft or your apartment is damaged in a fire, your landlord is likely not responsible for replacing your belongings. If you live in on- campus housing, your belongings may be covered under your parent's homeowners or renters policy but it's a best to check with your insurance representative to see what is covered.

A typical renter's insurance policy will cover personal belongings in the event of an unexpected loss such as a burglary or fire. Some policies also cover part of the expense for living in another location if the apartment were to become inhabitable due to a covered loss. In addition, liability coverage may protect a renter if a visitor were to injure themselves in the apartment or the renter accidentally damages property.

Renter's insurance on average costs $240 per year. Policies are frequently added to auto or homeowners policies. Students' parents may be able to add a renters insurance policy to their homeowners or auto policy to cover a full-time student.

Students should start by taking an inventory of their possessions to determine the value of their personal property. Take photos or video to get a record. The value of items like electronics, bikes, jewelry etc. can add up quickly. It's best to be pro-active than to look back and say "I should've done that."

5 Simple Steps to Protect Your Belongings While at College

1. Create a list of your valuables with photos and serial numbers. Give a copy to your parents and save a copy in the cloud.
2. Register your valuable with campus police. Many schools let you register your laptop, tablet or bicycle to deter thieves and identify your stolen property if it is recovered.
3. Don't leave your valuables unattended in public areas. If you're studying at the library or a coffee shop bring your laptop with you if have to step away.
4. Always lock your doors and windows and make sure your roommates do the same. Consider keeping a safe for your room for extra protection.
5. Leave your prized possessions at home. If it can't be replaced or has sentimental value, it's best not to bring it in the first place.

To learn more about protecting your stuff, visit Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Patch.com

If you were at risk of losing $5,000, $10,000 or even $15,000 and could do something to stop it, would you? The answer is a no-brainer: you’d would.

Yet, more than half of adults ages 23 to 29 years old who rent apartments don’t have renters insurance, putting all their stuff at risk.

Homeowners buy homeowner’s insurance to cover their home and belongings. Those who live in dorms or college apartments should get renters insurance to do the same thing. A renter’s policy will cover your personal possessions (clothes, electronics, furniture, etc.) if they’re stolen and will pay to repair or replace them if there’s a fire, burst pipe or other unfortunate event. Renter’s policies can also pay for you to rent a new home or stay in a hotel in if you are displaced by a fire or other natural disaster — coverage that most policies refer to as “loss of use.”

Like homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance includes liability coverage – if someone is injured in your home, the cost of their care and potential legal proceedings is covered up to your policy’s liability limits, which is typically $100,000.

But unlike a homeowner’s policy that covers the home structure and its contents, renter’s insurance covers just the contents of your home. That makes it a lot cheaper. Your landlord has an insurance policy that covers the building, but that does nothing to protect your valuables.

Most people don’t have the cash sitting around to replace all their stuff. So why do so few buy renters’ insurance? One reason: while homeowner’s insurance is almost always required if you are paying for your home with a mortgage, there are no blanket laws requiring that you purchase a renter’s policy.

Another reason:

A lot of people are under the misconception that if they live in an apartment that their landlord is responsible for their belongings.

In fact, of the 59% of adults ages 23 to 29 who do not have renter’s insurance, 46% didn’t think they needed it. Another third said they thought it was too expensive and a quarter said they just hadn’t gotten around to purchasing it.

The average millennial carries $45,000 in debt, and it is thought that for that reason as well as other societal trends, they’re delaying a lot of life moments like marriage and home-buying. That means they’re going to rent longer.

Another reason younger renters don’t immediately think to insure their stuff is that they underestimate the value of their possessions. Once they do the math they’re shocked by the full value of what they own.

Think you can’t afford renter’s insurance?

You can. The average cost of renter’s insurance is $20 per month — equal to the cost of ordering takeout one night. What you pay for a renter’s insurance is largely based on the value of your belongings.

All renters policies should cover your belongings in your apartment and up to 100 feet from your apartment — to include damage or theft while you’re moving. Policies will cover your items whether or not you’re home at the time of the vandalism, fire, burst pipe or other disaster that ruined your belongings.

For more information on renters insurance, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

If you need to get your car inspected or renew your driver’s license soon, you need to prepare for new driver’s license rules.

Massachusetts drivers are seeing big changes—including waiting in line if they want a new type of licenses instead of renewing online.

The new software can, among other tasks, issue new types of “Real ID” driver’s licenses required by federal law as a security safeguard in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Drivers seeking to renew or get a new driver’s license will need to bring several documents to the RMV, one that shows their Social Security number, another proving US citizenship such as a passport, or that shows lawful presence in the country, like an employment authorization card. Applicants will also need two documents proving Massachusetts residency, such as utility bills or bank statements.

The new Real ID licenses will include a small mark in the upper right corner showing the license complies with federal rules, making it acceptable as a federal identification. Drivers wanting a Real ID license will have to renew in person, either at an RMV office or a branch of the AAA.

Drivers aren’t required to obtain a Real ID, but if they don’t, their license will no longer be a valid form of identification for boarding a flight within the US, or entering a federal building after October 2020. Instead, they would need to use a passport.

The state will also issue non-Real ID-compliant licenses that nonetheless will require drivers to show more documentation than previously, including proof of citizenship or lawful presence, and a single document showing proof of residency. These licenses can still be renewed online. Previously, only holders of US visas had been required to provide such documentation for license renewals.

The Registry is bracing for more traffic at its branch offices.

A significant number of the 5.3 million people with an existing Mass ID are going to want a Real ID.

The new software will help with Real ID compliance; for example, the existing software could not always print long last names in full on every licenses, which the new system can as required by the federal government.

This new software will also facilitate a number of new features, such as paying for multiple transactions at once, creating customer profiles, and allowing the RMV to communicate with drivers by email – functions that state officials admit are not exactly high-tech breakthroughs today.

To see what documents you will need for a Learner’s Permit, Driver’s License, or Mass ID Card, click here.

For more information, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Source: Boston Globe

In the wake of summer storms, many homeowners are surprised to learn that their homeowners insurance policies does not cover damage caused by flooding. It should be one of the big lessons: Know what your insurance policy covers – and what it does not.

Looking forward, do you need flood insurance? According to FloodSmart.gov, nearly 25% of flood insurance claims come from moderate-to-low risk areas. It doesn’t take a major body of water or a significant storm to cause flooding. A flood can occur as a result of a slow-moving rainstorm, snow melt, land development runoff, and more.

A common argument against flood insurance is that federal disaster assistance will be available when flooding occurs. This is not always the case, and when it is, federal disaster assistance may still cost more than flood insurance. Federal disaster assistance is only offered when a disaster is federally declared, and it usually comes in the form of a loan with interest.

If you’re interested in protecting your home with flood insurance, call you local agent at Lallis & Higgins Insurance who can help you purchase a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program. We can help you fully understand your coverage options and can continue to advise you as your needs change.

The best time to buy flood insurance is now. Policies do not take effect until 30 days after purchase. 

 Source: Plymouth Rock

Summer is the season people travel to second homes by the lake or seaside. If you've purchased such a getaway, make sure it's properly insured.

The cost of vacation home insurance should be factored into the second home-buying equation.

These attractive properties are also attracting risks.

Such risks include natural disasters and dangers posed by vandals and thieves. Those types of risk drive up the cost of insurance.

Here are six questions to ask when insuring your vacation home:

Question 1: Does my insurer offer a secondary home endorsement?

Most people automatically assume they need to buy a stand-alone home insurance policy to cover their vacation home.

But some insurers will let you add an endorsement to your primary home's policy that covers the vacation home.

This is often the most cost-effective way to go.

Although you likely will save money with an endorsement, the coverage level might not be as extensive as with a separate insurance policy. That is particularly true if the home is at greater risk of falling prey to natural disasters such as hurricanes, brush fires or flooding.

Because the cost and coverage levels of endorsements vary from company to company, it is important to talk to your agent and discuss your options.

Question 2: Do I need to increase liability coverage?

People with vacation homes frequently invite guests for weekends of fun.

Unfortunately, such activities raise the risk someone will be injured on the property, leaving you liable for the loss.

In addition, vacation homes often are vacant for longer periods of time than primary homes. That also increases your liability risk.

If someone breaks in or doesn't have permission to be on your property, that limits your personal liability. But you could always be sued anyway.

Purchasing an umbrella liability policy can boost the liability coverage on your vacation home. These policies typically cost just a few hundred dollars a year, and they can boost your liability protection by $1 million or more.

Question 3: Should I buy coverage for sewer and drain backups?

Many home insurance policies don't automatically cover damage caused by drain and sewer backups.

This type of damage can be a major problem in any type of home, but the risks may be greater in a vacation home.

The amount of damage that can occur when it goes unchecked will likely be much more extensive.

It's easy to insure against this risk. An insurance rider with this type of protection typically costs around $50 a year.

This coverage is just the first step. Have someone look after the vacation home while you are away, and to perform maintenance such as removing snow and checking the thermostat.

Question 4: Are my 'out buildings' protected?

Summer homes often have additional features -- including boat houses and sheds -- that aren't attached to the home. In most cases, these structures will be covered under the policy that protects the main building.

However, in most cases there is a limit to the coverage amount for these buildings.

Coverage would be limited to 10 percent of the vacation home policy. So, if your home was insured for $100,000, you would have $10,000 in coverage for such buildings.

Of course, the exact percentage can vary from insurer to insurer. If you need more coverage, talk to your agent about purchasing a rider that will provide higher levels of protection for the individual buildings.

Question 5: Is my boat covered?

Home insurance may offer some coverage for small boats, but only for a limited amount.

Coverage varies, with some insurers covering boats for about $1,000, while others offer coverage of around 10 percent of your home's property value. Liability coverage usually isn't included, but can be added through an endorsement to your homeowners policy.

However, don't count on a homeowners policy to cover losses to your yacht.

With bigger and more expensive boats, it's recommended that people consider a separate boat policy to ensure adequate coverage for both damage and liability.

You also will likely need a separate policy to cover Jet Skis and wave runners.

Policies that specifically cover boats and other watercraft come in two types:

• Actual cash value. This pays your replacement costs after subtracting any depreciation. 
• Agreed amount value. With this policy, you and the insurer agree upon an amount that represents the boat's true worth. If the boat is totaled, you will be paid in this amount. If a partial loss occurs, you will receive new parts to replace the damaged parts. 

Actual cash value coverage tends to be cheaper that agreed amount value coverage because the former only pays you the depreciated rate of your loss. So, while you may pay less in premiums, you could end up paying more out of pocket to cover a loss.

Question 6: Do the insurance requirements differ at the location of the vacation home?

Many people own vacation homes located far from their primary residence, often in another state. Because insurance is regulated at the state level, it's important to know which rules apply in your vacation home's community.

If you have a primary home in Massachusetts and buy a second home in New Hampshire, you should know that the vacation home insurance policy has a separate water damagae deductible.

In some cases, the insurer of your primary home may refuse to insure the vacation home if it is located in an area at a higher risk for loss due to flooding or other circumstances.

Talk to Lallis & Higgins Insurance before you buy a prospective vacation home to find out if coverage will be available.

Summer is in full-swing. This is a great time of year for a homeowners insurance checkup based on recent changes in your life and home. Here are some questions to consider asking yourself or discussing with your agent to determine if it’s time to update your home insurance.

• Have you made any home improvements? Is a hot tub or swimming pool in your near future? How about expanding your deck or maybe enclosing the porch? These improvements increase the value of your home, so make sure they are protected by your coverage.
• Have you installed a fire or burglar alarm system? If so, you may qualify for a discount on your homeowners insurance.
• Did you purchase a riding mower or tiller? Do you plan to build or buy a shed to store your garden tools? Your policy should cover these structures but reach out to your insurer to make sure.
• Did you make any big purchases for the holidays or the New Year? Think about your furniture, appliances, electronics, jewelry, and art work. It’s important to have a list of your possessions so you know the level of coverage you need. Keep receipts and other important items that verify the cost of possessions, and store the list in a secure place like a safe deposit box. You may need to separate schedule this items if their value exceeds your current coverage.
• Did you make any major changes to your life? Marriage, divorce, or adult children who move back into the family home may mean your coverage needs to be modified.
• Have you started a home-based business? This could also necessitate changes to your insurance policy. You may need additional coverage for business liability and equipment.

Asking yourself these questions is a great start to making sure your homeowners coverage matches both your home and the folks that live in it. Have any more questions or need advice? Don’t hesitate to ask, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Source: Plymouth Rock

You’re at the beach and it’s a scorcher. That water is looking pretty tempting cool down. But, how do you hide your stuff at the beach so it doesn’t get stolen?

You’re almost always going to have some kind of valuable with you: keys, credit card, cash, smartphone, e-reader, tablet, etc.

You could nominate someone to stay out of the water to stand guard. But that isn’t always an option, especially if you’re out alone or in a small group.

Buy a house with a private beach? That’s not really affordable or practical.

The first thing you need to do is decide if you really need all or any of that stuff with you. You may be able to pare it down to the essentials and leave super important stuff in your car or hotel room.

If you do leave any valuables in your car, make sure your stuff is hidden out of sight and your car is locked! And don’t try to hide a key on top of your tire.

That said, here are some ways to hide your stuff at the beach to help prevent it from being stolen.

Know that none of these ideas are 100% foolproof. Nothing is ever 100% safe, not even if you stay at home. These ideas could help prevent a theft, but cannot guarantee security.

The More Common Methods

• Make friends with the people sitting near you – it will make it that much more likely they’ll speak up if some random person is rummaging through your stuff.
• Put your things in a sealable plastic bag and bury the bag in the sand, underneath your towel. Lots of folks also say it’s a good idea to safety pin a string to the bag and your towel so you don’t forget it’s down there.
• Get a beach safe. It doesn’t take too much effort to find beach safes for sale. They lock right to your chair, cooler or other heavy/immovable objects.
• Use a waterproof container. There are lots of these for sale, too. The idea is you wear your stuff into the water. Watch out for leaks, though.

The More Clever Ways to Hide Your Stuff at the Beach

• Book work. Bring a hollowed out book with you. It’s unsuspecting and easily concealed.
• Make it look gross. Wrap your belongings in a disposal diaper ( … an unused one). You would ideally crumple it up to make it look like it has been used, though.
• Attract LOTS of attention. Decorate your beach bag with loud, bright, gaudy colors and designs. The idea is that it attracts so much attention, thieves will move on to a more subtle target.
• Hide it in a ball. You may have heard the tip about cutting a tennis ball open. That’s great, but that’s not nearly big enough for a couple of credit cards, keys, cash, earbuds and a smartphone. A soccer ball? Now we’re talking. Make sure the sliced side is down and leave it in a beach bag or on your chair under a towel.
• Fly it. Securely attach a small rip-stop zipper bag to a kite and fly it up in the air. Then secure the string spool to a picnic table or other heavy object. It will most definitely be out of reach of thieves. But … use this one at your own risk as your stuff could just fly away.
• Get a container that looks like something else. You can easily find containers for sale that look like sunscreen bottles or soda cans. You could also just clean out an old sunscreen bottle yourself. Also, don’t forget to bring an actual bottle of sunscreen to help prevent sunburn.

Again, none of these ideas guarantee 100% security. If your stuff does get stolen at the beach, or even stolen from your car parked in the beach lot, your home insurance policy (not your car insurance) may be able to help with the loss. Check with Lallis & Higgins Insurance about the specifics of your policy.

Plymouth Rock

It's almost Fourth of July and that means fireworks. But where can you go watch and when are they, anyway?

Quincy:

Bay Pointe Waterfront Restaurant is celebrating their 20th year of operation by shooting fireworks from a barge in Town River Bay beginning at 9:15 p.m. on July 4.

Weymouth:

Technically, you can see 4th of July fireworks and not leave Quincy. The Weymouth fireworks on July 3 can be seen over the Fore River and starts at 9:30 p.m. You can also go to George Lane Beach in North Weymouth for music, events for the kids, and concessions.

Braintree:

Braintree Day on June 30 ends with fireworks at Braintree High School. The sky lights up at dusk.

Hingham:

The night of July 1 at Hingham Harbor includes family activities, music, food and of course, a fireworks display.

Boston:

The annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular along the Charles River is the main event, drawing in outstanding crowds for a night of patriotism, pyrotechnics, and musical performances. To get ready for the celebrations, we’ve rounded up the top ways to catch this monumental fireworks display. If the thought of going up against an expected crowd of 300,000 spectators for your spot on the grass doesn’t excite you, we’ve included a few backup plans with stellar views.

THE ESPLANADE DOWNTOWN

At the center of all of the action, the Charles River Esplanade hosts the extravagant Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, which also happens to be one of the city’s biggest outdoor gatherings of the year. The free event kicks off at 8pm with performances at The Hatch Shell by headliner and “Fight Song” singer Rachel Platten and, of course, the Boston Pops Orchestra. From 10:30pm-11pm, over 10,000 fireworks are set to go off. Just make sure you take precautions so you and your family or friends won’t have an awkward train ride back because someone didn’t take the lead on planning accordingly; glass, cans, alcohol (gasp!), and even backpacks are not allowed.

PROSPECT HILL PARK SOMERVILLE

For Somerville residents looking to stay close by, look no further! Your best bet is to head over to Prospect Hill Park to catch a glimpse of the Boston Pops starting at 10:30pm while amongst your cool neighbors. Who said you had to venture into the city to be part of the excitement? And again, this view is free.

THE ROSE KENNEDY GREENWAY DOWNTOWN

Skeptical of rogue fireworks and potentially bad memories? Feel free to head to The Greenway at 8pm to view the action from afar. The Greenway will stream the Boston Pops concert at The Hatch Shell followed by the much anticipated pyro show. If you feel like staying in, you can watch the fireworks from the comfort of your apartment by tuning into Bloomberg TV or Boston’s WHDH-TV beginning at 8pm.

WOLLASTON BEACH QUINCY

Trying to scope out the best views on the water to watch the show? Wollaston Beach in Quincy is a few miles away from the Boston Pops display at 8pm, but it's still a spot worth checking out for a far-off view of the action. And it's hard to beat the feeling of sand between your toes and the ocean breeze.

TOP OF THE HUB BACK BAY

If you’re looking to upgrade your viewing experience, you can fork over some dollars for the Sky High Fourth of July Celebration at Top of the Hub. At $250 per ticket, the night begins with a five-course gourmet dinner starting at 6pm, continues with a one-hour open bar, and concludes with a prime view of the Boston Pops fireworks display. If the ticket price is a tad too aggressive, the Skywalk Observatory will be offering limited seating for views of the fireworks featuring a dessert buffet. Doors open at 8:15pm with tickets priced at $80 per person.

LARZ ANDERSON PARK BROOKLINE

If you’re looking for a popular but less congested setting, Larz Anderson Park in Brookline provides beautiful scenery and space to sprawl out before the Boston Pops show goes off at 10:30pm. The park has charcoal grills and picnic areas perfect for bigger groups looking to spend a full day outdoors. It's also totally free, of course.

CASTLE ISLAND SOUTH BOSTON

With Castle Island overlooking the Boston Harbor, you’ll catch sights not only from the Boston Pops fireworks, but also from nearby town Winthrop. Didn’t gauge the arrival time quite right? No worries. Winthrop’s fireworks display begins at 9:15pm so you won’t be waiting with crippling anticipation for long.

ALBEMARLE FIELD/HALLORAN SPORTS COMPLEX NEWTON

For the early birds in the group or for your friends that vowed to take it easy for the night, Albemarle Field/Halloran Sports Complex in Newton is the go-to. Fireworks start at 9pm with activities leading up to the display including amusement rides, face painting (for friends with kids or the young at heart), craft and food vendors, and more. Admission is free, so if you want the carnival-esque treats with the show, head here

FROM THE CHARLES RIVER ALLSTON/BRIGHTON & CAMBRIDGE

Instead of sitting idly as you watch, how about paddling down the river surrounded by reflections of the fireworks? Plus, there’s no need to bring blankets or compete for a space to sit -- even better. Paddle Boston offers rental options the night of the Fourth with options to canoe or kayak. The deposit comes at a pretty penny, but depending on where you dock, rentals range between $89-$114 for a standard canoe (which fits two to three adults).

source: thrillist.com/patch.com