Trick or treat! With over 180 million Americans planning on celebrating Halloween this year and over $9.1 billion dollars spent on candy and decorations, it is understandable that there will be a significant rise in property damage, safety risks, and liability issues that will haunt many homes and businesses this Halloween. With these increased risks comes increased responsibility to ensure your home or business is safe and covered. Below are useful tricks that will help prepare your home for the frightful night.
Property Damage Risks On Halloween
With Halloween right around the corner, it is important to be aware of the specific property damage risks in order to safely prepare your home.
Fire Risks and Safety
According to the NFPA Fire Analysis & Research Division, there is an average of 860 reported fires caused by candles alone on the day of Halloween. These can be caused by unattended jack-o-lanterns or a candle left too close to curtains or decorations. A great compromise would be to invest in electric candles to place around your property to keep the effect of a candle without the increased risk of items catching fire. Remember, if you choose to keep regular candles, make sure any decorations or flammables are moved away from the heat source to reduce the risk of a fire.
Vandalism and Pranks
In relation, ABC News reports a rise in acts of vandalism during Halloween season on property and vehicles which can include pranks like throwing eggs or dried corn kernels and “TP-ing” people’s houses and cars. While these pranks may seem fun and harmless, they do have a high potential to damage property and should be taken seriously. Always be vigilant of your surroundings and do not hesitate to call 9-11 if there are suspicious individuals or activities around your property.
Liability Risks on Halloween
In addition to property damage, it is important that you are covered from any liabilities in the instance any trick-or-treaters sustain injuries on your property. Consider investing in liability insurance as a wise step to protect your home or business, as well as:
- Clearing Obstacles: Remove any hazardous obstacles on your sidewalks and driveways.
- Good Lighting: Making sure your property is well lit can further help prevent any injuries.
- Avoiding Slips and Falls: If you have a sprinkler system or it is raining, adding road salt to walkways can help prevent any slips or falls.
- Liquor Liability: If you are serving alcohol at a Halloween party and a guest sustains an injury, having liability insurance coverage can help protect you if you are found legally liable.
- Candy Choice: Candy choice is another detail to remember in helping to protect others. Is the candy a choking hazard for toddlers or young children? Are there any allergy concerns like peanuts in the candy? These are the type of questions to ask when considering how to make Halloween a fun and safe night for everyone.
While it is important to be aware of the risks and liabilities that can arise this Halloween, remembering these tips and ensuring your property has proper coverage will provide the peace of mind needed to best enjoy the Halloween festivities. Our agents at TJ Woods hope you learned more about how to best protect and prepare your home this Halloween. Contact one of our experts today to learn how you can save on any insurance needs. We look forward to serving you.
