Most people associate Halloween with costumes, candy, and pumpkins. But what about accidents, vandalism, and property damage?
“Halloween is a night of fun and celebration — however, it’s also one of the most accident-prone holidays of the year,” says Steven Gruber of Wisconsin personal injury attorneys Gruber Law. “There are many hidden risks that people frequently overlook.”
Homeowner anxiety also intensifies around Halloween, with 36% worried about liability from accidents and 22% concerned about property damage like vandalism, according to a recent study.
To help alleviate these fears, there are proactive and preventive steps you can take beforehand to prepare yourself and protect your property.
Risks to put on your radar
A few Halloween-related hazards exist that homeowners need to be aware of before the haunted holiday.
These include “trip-and-fall hazards from trick-or-treaters or dog bites due to increased foot traffic,” says Peter Piotrowski, chief claims officer at Hippo.
Vandalism is also a major concern during “Mischief Night,” which is the night before Halloween, and on Halloween night itself. The threat of fire is also a worry.
“Outdoor decorations can increase liability risks, such as issues with electrical wiring that could lead to fires,” says Piotrowski.
Putting lit candles in carved pumpkins can be another fire hazard, too.
Preventive steps to take
As a homeowner, you have a responsibility to ensure your property is free from hazards that may present dangers or cause harm. Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent accidents before they happen.
First, make sure there’s a clear pathway to your door — with no toys, debris, or lawn equipment that could trip someone up.
“Ensure sidewalks are maintained, railings are secure, and outdoor areas are well-lit,” advises Piotrowski.
If it’s snowy or icy outside, shovel snow, then use deicer, sand, or kitty litter on steps, driveways, and walkways to make sure they’re slip-proof.
Avoid outdoor decorations that use extension cords people could stumble over.
If you do have electrical wires in your front lawn, cover them with cord covers or tape to secure them safely on the ground.
To prevent fires, use electric lights or glow sticks instead of candles in your pumpkins, and never nail through or staple extension cords or wires.
Decorations like corn stalks, crepe paper, and dried flowers are very flammable — so you should keep them away from any open flames or heat sources such as heaters or lightbulbs, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.
To help prevent vandalism on your property, Piotrowski advises “using video monitoring and proper lighting.”
If you’re a pet owner, have a plan in place for your furry friend before trick-or-treaters arrive.
“Restrain pets, regardless of whether you believe they are friendly,” says Gruber.
The best place to keep your pet is inside in a room away from the front door during trick-or-treating hours, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Check your insurance coverage
Once you’ve taken steps to accident-proof your home, it’s time to make sure you’re covered just in case any unfortunate incidents do occur.
“A standard homeowners policy provides limited medical payments coverage for guests of the policyholder should a guest be injured on the homeowner’s premises and need medical treatment, regardless of whether there is a finding of negligence on the part of the policyholder,” says Alex Burgess, a principal strategist at insurance software platform Hi Marley.
Check your policy declarations to make sure you have two types of liability coverage: Coverage E, which covers legal fees and damages, and Coverage F, which covers medical bills.
“We recommend around $500,000 in liability coverage for home policies,” says Jessica Edmondson, director of data journalism at Insurify.
But even if you do have the right amount of coverage, home insurance premiums typically increase 7% to 10% after a single claim, according to Hippo.
What to do if someone is injured on your property
If someone gets hurt on your property, make sure the injured person gets medical attention right away, or call 911 (depending on the extent of the injuries). Medical records can be helpful in the event of a claim.
Get the injured person’s contact information, and take photos and/or video of the accident scene if you are able. Stay on the scene, and call the police. Even if they don’t file a formal police report, they can still document the incident and take statements.
“Report any potential claims as soon as possible,” says Piotrowski. “If in doubt, contact your insurance provider, who can guide you through the claims process.”
What to do if your property gets damaged
If you experience any Halloween-related property damage, like vandalism, first you need to determine whether the repair costs would be more or less than your deductible. (If it’s less, then it likely won’t merit an insurance claim.)
If you do decide to file a claim, contact your insurance provider — and see if you need to file a police report or not, since having one can speed up the process. Take pictures of all the damages, and upload or email them to your insurance carrier as soon as possible.
After that, your insurance agent will assign an adjuster to come out and assess the damage.
Then, with any luck, you’ll have no tricks and all treats as you navigate the claims process.
