How To Avoid a Scary Homeowners Claim This Halloween
Halloween is fun for kids and adults alike. But if you're a homeowner, you should take precautions to prevent a spooky insurance claim from ruining your festivities.
Here are 13 precautions to make your home safe before little ghosts, witches, princesses and superheroes come calling.
Create a safe path. Clear your walk, steps, porch and lawn of any tripping hazards (electric cords, hoses, potted plants, etc.). Move things to a place where no one can accidentally stumble on them.
Repair hazards. Fix wobbly or broken porch railings that could cause an injury if a trick-or-treater or guest leaned on them.
Survey your property. Take exterior photos of your property before trick-or-treaters arrive. If an accident happens or your house is vandalized, they could come in handy.
Secure pets. Spooky noises and music, trick-or-treaters, and unusual lights and decorations can be nerve-wracking for pets. This can lead to aggressive or destructive behaviour. Keep pets in a safe location away from the commotion.
Turn on the lights. Keep your sidewalks and pathways well-lit so everyone can see where they are stepping.
Avoid homemade treats. Many parents only let their kids eat prepackaged candy. Labels with allergy warnings help prevent life-threatening reactions. Stick with the fun-size candies you can buy in bulk.
Prevent electrical shocks and fires. Use safe, intact electrical cords and decorations, and don’t overload outlets or circuits. Never fasten electrical wires or cords in a way that could damage their insulation or create tripping hazards.
Decorate safely. Don’t hang heavy decorations overhead. These items could fall and strike a trick-or-treater or party guest, resulting in serious injuries. And avoid pop-up decorations that could startle visitors and cause an unfortunate accident.
Host responsibly. If you're hosting a Halloween party with alcohol, monitor consumption and ensure your guests have designated drivers. Never serve alcohol to anyone underage.
Avoid fire hazards. Use LEDs instead of real candles in jack o’ lanterns and paper luminarias. Real candles can create a dangerous fire hazard, especially with children around.
Take precautions in wet or cold weather. Use friction tape on steps. If your area is near or below freezing on Halloween, use salt or sand on slippery sidewalks and walkways as needed.
Move vehicles. Reduce risks to little pedestrians by clearing parked cars from the curb for better visibility. If you have a garage, park your car there. This will also prevent dents and scratches.
Discourage vandalism. Turn on motion-activated lights to illuminate the house and scare away late-evening vandals or mischief-makers.
Opening your home to trick-or-treaters and Halloween party guests can expose you to home claims and lawsuits. Talk to your insurance broker to make sure your policy is current and you're adequately protected. Once you’ve done your best to create a safe environment, you can enjoy the spookiest day of the year.
Have Questions?
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact dbi Brokers Ltd. at ebrokers@dbibrokers.ca or 1-800-268-3311. We’re here to help you understand your insurance options and ensure you have the protection that’s right for you.
