When most people think of Halloween, they think of costumes, candy, and pumpkins. But what about accidents, vandalism, and property damage?
“Halloween is a night of fun and celebration, but it’s also the most accident-prone holiday of the year,” says Steven Gruber of Wisconsin personal injury attorney Gruber Law. “There are a lot of hidden risks that people tend to overlook.”
A recent survey found that homeowner anxiety is heightened around Halloween, with 36% worried about liability from an accident and 22% worried about property damage, such as vandalism.
To alleviate these concerns, there are proactive and proactive steps you can take to prepare ahead of time and protect your property.
Risks to put on your radar
There are several dangers associated with Halloween that homeowners should be aware of before the haunted holiday.
These include “trip and fall hazards from trick-or-treaters and dog bites due to increased foot traffic,” said Peter Piotrowski, Hippo’s chief insurance officer.
According to a recent poll, 36% of homeowners are worried about liability from accidents during Halloween celebrations. christopher sadowski
Vandalism is also a major concern during “Prank Night” or Halloween Night, the eve of Halloween. I’m also concerned about the risk of fire.
“Outdoor decorations can increase liability risks, including electrical wiring problems that can lead to fire,” says Piotrowski.
Placing a lit candle inside a carved pumpkin is also a fire hazard.
Precautions to take
As a homeowner, you are responsible for making sure there are no hazards that could pose a danger or harm your property. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent accidents before they happen.
First, make sure the path to your front door is clear and free of toys, debris, lawn equipment, etc. that someone could trip over.
“Make sure sidewalks are maintained, railings are secure, and outdoor areas are well-lit,” Piotrowski advises.
If it’s snowing or icy outside, shovel snow and use deicer, sand, or cat litter on steps, driveways, and sidewalks to make them less slippery.
Avoid outdoor decorations with extension cords that can cause people to trip over them.
If you have power lines on your front lawn, cover them with cord covers or tape and secure them to the ground.
To prevent fires, use electric lights or psylliums on pumpkins instead of candles, and don’t nail or staple extension cords or wires.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, decorative items such as corn stalks, crepe paper, and dried flowers are highly flammable and should be kept away from open flames and heat sources such as heaters and light bulbs.
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To prevent vandalism on the property, Piotrowski advises “using video surveillance and proper lighting.”
If you’re a pet owner, make plans for your furry friend before trick-or-treaters arrive.
“Restrain your pet, whether you believe it is friendly or not,” Gruber says.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the best place to keep your pet is indoors, away from the front door, during trick-or-treating hours.
Check insurance coverage details
Once you have taken steps to prevent accidents from happening in your home, it’s time to check your insurance in case something unfortunate happens.
“Standard homeowners insurance provides coverage for a policyholder’s guest if the guest is injured on the homeowner’s property and requires medical treatment, regardless of whether or not the policyholder is found to be at fault. We offer limited medical expense coverage to patients,” said Alex Burgess. Principal Strategist, Insurance Software Platform Hi, I’m Marley.
Check your insurance policy declaration to make sure you have two types of liability coverage. Coverage E covers litigation costs and damages, and Coverage F covers medical expenses.
“We recommend around $500,000 in home insurance liability coverage,” says Jessica Edmondson, director of data journalism at Insurify.
But even with the right amount of coverage, Hippo says home insurance premiums typically increase by 7% to 10% per claim.
What to do if someone gets hurt on your property
If someone is injured on your property, the injured person should seek immediate medical attention or call 911 (depending on the severity of the injury). Medical records can help with insurance claims.
Obtain contact information for the injured person and, if possible, take photos or videos of the accident scene. Stay at the scene and call the police. You can document the incident and give statements without filing a formal police report.
“Report any potential claims as soon as possible,” says Piotrowski. “If you have any questions, contact your insurance company. They can guide you through the claims process.”
What to do if property is damaged
If you experience Halloween-related property damage, such as vandalism, you must first determine whether the repair costs will be more or less than your deductible. (If it is less than this, you may not be eligible for insurance claims.)
If you decide to make a claim, contact your insurance company and find out if you need to file a police report. Filing a police report will speed up the process. Take photos of all damage and upload or email them to your insurance company as soon as possible.
The insurance agent will then assign an adjuster to assess the amount of the loss.
That way, if you’re lucky, you’ll have all the tricks and tips up your sleeve as you navigate the claims process.
