As you prepare to fill your candy bowl and skillfully carve your pumpkins for the approaching All Hallow’s Eve, it’s crucial to evaluate the potential risks that accompany these spooky celebrations and strategize on how best to mitigate them.
Perhaps you’re delighting neighborhood children by having them traverse a thrilling gauntlet of spine-chilling shrieks, enveloping fog, and flashing strobe lights just to reach your enticing bowl of candy.
Before you entice trick-or-treaters into navigating through the wonderfully intricate and themed haunts that you’ve designed in your home (or garage), it’s wise to consider the essential protective measures against various potential risks, advises Michael Giusti, an analyst at Insurancequotes.com.
If a guest sustains an injury while on your property, the personal liability coverage included in most homeowners or renters insurance policies typically covers claims of up to $500,000 per individual injured. For instance, should a guest stumble and fall on your porch stairs, this standard homeowners or renters policy will cover the resulting claims, according to Giusti.
In fact, a standard insurance policy may also accommodate claims arising from a Halloween gathering hosted at your residence. Since such an event occurs on your property, getting special-event insurance is unnecessary, unless you aim to set up a block party along your street with neighboring families.
In Los Angeles County, regulations dictate that at least one individual must submit a block party application, apply for a city permit, and secure special-event insurance.
Companies such as Travelers, Allstate, Progressive, and USAA are among the insurance providers offering special-event policies, typically costing less than $100, which encompass coverage for bodily injury and property damage up to $1 million. These policies may also extend to cover nonrefundable deposits, cancellation fees, injury, and liability, adding another layer of comfort for your Halloween celebration.
Liability coverage applies to losses where the insured individual is legally responsible, including medical expenses that may occur if you are found at fault, elaborates Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communication for the Insurance Information Institute.
For example, if a guest at your party consumes a considerable amount of alcohol and later gets into an accident on the way home, Ruiz warns, both the driver might be sued, and you could face liability as well, “as a participant in their drinking.” Your standard insurance will cover the cost of your defense, up to your policy limit.
Halloween decor and fire safety
As you drive through neighborhoods in Los Angeles County, you’ll undoubtedly encounter homes adorned with gigantic inflatable pumpkins, frightful Jack Skellington figures, and eerie ghostly arches welcoming guests.
Some residences dazzle their surroundings with illuminated jack-o-lanterns or whimsical witches and specters swinging from trees, casting an enchanting spell over the Halloween festivities.
While these decorations are enjoyable and sometimes eerily captivating, they can pose fire hazards if safety precautions are neglected.
According to the National Fire Protection Assn., between 2018 and 2022, there was an average of 835 structure fires annually triggered by ignited decorations.
Shocking statistics reveal that nearly half—47% of these incidents—occurred because the decorations were positioned too near a heat source, like a flickering candle or heated equipment, according to the NFPA.
To promote safety during this Halloween season, the NFPA and the Los Angeles Fire Department have compiled a helpful list of best practices to adhere to when it comes to fire safety, including:
Do explore alternatives to wax candles for lighting your jack-o-lantern, opting for glow sticks or battery-operated candles instead.
Don’t overload your electrical outlets by connecting too many lights and devices simultaneously.
Do ensure that exits are clear of decorations, preventing any obstruction of escape routes in the event of an emergency.
Don’t place decorations near open flames or other heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters, which can pose serious risks.
Do check that all smoke alarms are functioning properly to guarantee their effectiveness.
In the unfortunate event that a fire does ignite on your property, a standard homeowners insurance policy typically provides coverage for any damage incurred. Alongside repairs to the primary structure, a standard policy also protects losses to detached structures, such as a garage, up to approximately 10% of your house’s insured value.
It’s important to note that homeowners and renters policies usually come with deductibles, meaning they cover losses from damage or theft only beyond a specified threshold.
Handing out treats
Distributing candy to costumed children is a treasured tradition during Halloween, yet it’s an aspect of the holiday that tends to be overlooked in terms of liability coverage. However, experts urge you to consider the implications.
If you hand out treats that remain in their original packaging, it becomes the responsibility of the trick-or-treater (or their parents) to scrutinize the goodies for any allergens they may need to avoid. For instance, you won’t be held accountable for not inquiring about peanut allergies before distributing Snickers bars.
However, if you provide homemade treats, such as baked cupcakes without clearly indicating the ingredients, you could face liability concerns. Fortunately, Giusti points out that if your homemade treat leads to someone experiencing an allergic reaction requiring medical attention, a standard homeowners insurance policy includes a provision known as medical payments for others that will provide coverage.
This medical payments coverage is designed for individuals other than yourself or family members who may become injured or ill while on your property and require medical assistance. In contrast, if you or a family member requires medical attention, your health insurance policy will be responsible for covering those expenses, according to Ruiz.
Tricks that go too far — vandalism and theft
Whether your family plans to head out for trick-or-treating or remain home to hand out candy, “safety is key during the busiest night for porch traffic,” advises Mimi Swain, chief commercial officer at Ring.
Many front doors sport a Ring doorbell or similar camera-equipped home security system, allowing homeowners to monitor who is at their door on Halloween. For example, these cameras can help you distinguish whether the visitor is a child looking for candy or a potential intruder.
Moreover, it’s not uncommon for incidents of vandalism or theft to be captured on doorbell cameras situated on properties. In some instances, neighbors across the street may also have recorded footage of the event.
If someone seizes the opportunity on Halloween to pilfer items from your front porch or the side of your house, Giusti explains that such theft would fall under the coverage of general homeowners and renters insurance policies.
Having video evidence can be beneficial when reporting the incident to local law enforcement as well as to your insurance provider.
In addition to a home security camera, homeowners considering added protection might want to invest in a comprehensive home security system.
These can be monitored independently by the homeowners themselves, or they can hire a professional home security company to install and oversee a system for a monthly fee.
“In general, if you aim to enhance your home’s safety, I recommend installing security cameras and motion detectors that can alert you to any suspicious activity, focusing on blind spots around the home that could serve as entry points for intruders,” advises Kim Wright, director of corporate security at ADT.
Furthermore, she shares additional safety tips for securing your home:
- Park your car in your garage if possible and make sure it’s locked.
- Lock up smaller, valuable items, such as bikes, grills, and lawn mowers that could attract thieves.
- Designate a single location at your home for greeting trick-or-treaters, promoting better control and security.
- Inform a neighbor if you will be away that evening, allowing them to keep an eye on your property.
- Secure pets indoors, as they may dart out an open door if startled.
- Ensure your security cameras are operational and recording even after the trick-or-treating has concluded.
**Interview with Michael Giusti, Analyst at Insurancequotes.com, on Halloween Safety and Liability**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Michael. As Halloween approaches, many people are busy preparing their homes for the festivities. What are some crucial safety measures they should consider to mitigate risks?
**Michael Giusti:** Thanks for having me! Preparing for Halloween certainly comes with its own set of fun challenges, but safety should be a priority. Homeowners should start by ensuring their properties are free of hazards that could cause injury, like loose porch steps or obstructions in walkways. Personal liability coverage in homeowners or renters insurance typically covers injuries, which is a comfort, but being proactive can prevent those incidents from happening in the first place.
**Interviewer:** That’s a great point. What about the decorations that make Halloween fun? Are there specific fire safety measures that decorators should keep in mind?
**Michael Giusti:** Yes, absolutely! While Halloween decorations add a festive touch, they can pose fire risks. The National Fire Protection Association has noted that many structure fires in recent years have been caused by ignited decorations. To keep things safe, homeowners should avoid using candles in jack-o’-lanterns and opt for battery-operated lights instead. It’s also important to ensure that decorations are kept away from heat sources and that exits remain clear in case of emergency.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of treats, what liability do homeowners face when handing out candy, especially if they include homemade treats?
**Michael Giusti:** When distributing pre-packaged treats, liability is generally limited since it falls to the parents to check for allergens. However, with homemade items, there’s a potential liability if someone has an adverse reaction. Luckily, most standard homeowners insurance policies have a provision for medical payments for others, which could cover medical expenses if someone gets ill from a treat you provided.
**Interviewer:** That’s very informative. what advice do you have for homeowners regarding vandalism or theft during Halloween?
**Michael Giusti:** It’s essential to be aware that Halloween can attract mischievous activities. Using home security cameras, like doorbell cameras, can help monitor your property and deter potential vandalism or theft. These devices provide peace of mind and can help you identify who’s at your door, whether they’re trick-or-treaters or someone with less friendly intentions.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Michael. Your insights are invaluable for ensuring a fun and safe Halloween celebration!
**Michael Giusti:** Thank you for having me! Enjoy the festivities, and stay safe!
