It’s almost Halloween! Time for jack-o-lanterns, scary costumes, bowls of candy, excited children, haunted houses, and a whole host of spooky fun. We don’t want to scare you, but do remember Halloween brings increased risk of vandalism (home or vehicle), fire, injuries (including dog bites and trip and fall), burglary, auto theft, and even gravestone theft or vandalism. (Did you know your homeowners policy often covers theft or damage to a gravestone?)
Your insurance (homeowners, renters, and/or auto) should cover any major Halloween mishaps, but you don’t want to have to make a claim if you don’t have to. Most policies come with deductibles, and frequent claims can cause your premiums to rise. To keep Halloween from becoming a horror, here are some tips to protect you, your pets, and your property this Halloween.
While driving or walking
Safekids.org reports that kids are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day. Prime time for trick or treating is between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., so take extra care if you’re driving during these hours, especially in residential neighborhoods and near driveways and alleys.
Children under the age of 12 should have adult supervision while trick or treating at night. Make sure children can see through masks (or use face paint instead), and that their clothing or costumes are visible even in the dark. Also have them carry flashlights or glow sticks. Remind them to stop and look both ways before crossing streets, and to cross at intersections rather than squeezing between parked cars.
Another Halloween danger is that of impaired or drunk driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2015 52% of all fatal crashes on Halloween night involved a driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 (the legal limit) or higher. Make sure to designate a driver if you’re attending a party where alcohol is served. And if you serve alcohol at your own Halloween party, you could be liable if an impaired guest leaves your party and hurts or kills someone. To be safe, monitor your guests’ alcohol intake, make sure impaired guests have someone to take them home, or let them spend the night.
Keep pets out of harm’s way
Halloween can be tough for pets. The doorbell rings constantly, even familiar people are dressed in costume, and there is an abundance of candy around, most of it toxic to animals. Be sure to keep all candy out of reach of your pets, as well as any decorations that could harm them, such as candles with open flames. On Halloween night, confine your pet in a quiet place in which he or she feels safe. That way, there will be no chance of your pet biting someone, or escaping through an open door.
Safe at home
Take precautions against vandalism, and against becoming liable for an injury on your property. Walk your property and remove anything someone might trip over. Remember, it will be dark, and some costumes make it hard to see properly.
Make sure your home is well lit.
To guard against fire, consider using a battery-operated tea lights to light your jack-o-lanterns. If you do use candles, keep them away from doorways, curtains, and walkways, and don’t leave them unattended.
Park your vehicle in the garage to protect it from vandalism.
Your insurance is there to protect you, but there are things you can do to minimize the chance you’ll need to use it. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your homeowners, renters, or auto insurance policy. And have a safe and spooky Halloween!
