Triple-I Offers 7 Tips to Keep Halloween’s Risks from Haunting You

For immediate release
New York Press Office, Loretta Worters, 917-208-8842, lorettaw@iii.org.

NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2023—Halloween brings trick-or-treaters to nearly everyone’s doorstep, but the otherwise festive day poses risks and can be a safer one if homeowners and renters take a few proactive steps, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).

These seven tips will keep your home—and trick-or-treaters—safer when the annual celebration of Halloween is held on Tuesday, Oct. 31, according to the Triple-I:

1. Remove any leaves and brush from your home’s walkway to avert slips and falls. The liability portion of either a homeowners or renters insurance policy comes into play if someone is injured while on your property.

2. Make sure your home is well-lit. This provides greater safety on walkways after the sun sets.

3. Keep electrical wires tied down. Certain costumes put children at risk of tripping, especially if they are wearing masks and unfamiliar with your property. Electrical cords should be securely tied down and kept out of a pedestrian’s path.

4. Make sure handrails and railings are secure. Children and adults can easily fall when mounting stairs if the handrails or railings alongside them are either wobbly or come loose.

5. Consider keeping pets away from trick-or-treaters. Pets are often unreceptive to a steady stream of visitors.

6. Keep decorations away from any open flames or heat sources. Decorations are extremely flammable. Use battery-operated bulbs instead of candles to illuminate items like jack-o-lanterns.

7. Set security systems and motion detectors. If you have them, and are away from home on Halloween, take this step to discourage vandals and burglars.

Standard homeowners insurance policies provide liability protection from common Halloween risks, such as trick-or-treaters who trip and fall on your property, or are bitten by your dog. If an incident at your home results in a lawsuit, the liability portion of your homeowners insurance policy pays for both the cost of defending you in court and any court awards—up to the limits in your policy.

Liability limits generally start at about $100,000, although many homeowners choose to purchase higher liability limits – somewhere between $300,000 and $500,000. Moreover, standard homeowners insurance policies cover losses incurred due either to vandalism or theft. Higher liability limits are available through a personal umbrella policy.

Halloween also has a large amount of residential fires and property damage. These perils are covered under a standard homeowners policy.  

RELATED LINKS

Article: Homeowners and Renters Insurance

Video:  Tips for Protecting Your Home on Halloween