Halloween may be the spookiest night of the year, but it’s important that you follow some important tips to protect yourself from any homeowners insurance gaps that might leave you screaming.

1. The most common homeowners claim from Halloween is a trick-or-treater tripping on someone’s property and getting hurt. Be sure to have a clear path from the street to your front porch, clear of debris, decorations, extension cords, etc. Also, make sure the path is well lit. If you aren’t handing out candy, a good indicator to trick-or-treaters that you’re not open for business is turning your front light off.
2. On the hunt for delicious treats, trick-or-treaters always should travel in a group. Should one of them become injured, it’s safest to have someone to help them. Additionally, incorporate bright colors, glow-in-the-dark bracelets or glow sticks or reflective tape into your trick-or-treater’s costume to make them more visible in the dark.
3. Bring water on the trek to find sweet treats with your trick-or-treaters to keep everyone hydrated.
4. Make themed masks to protect your mouth and nose while approaching crowded stoops and porches, and be sure to sanitize your hands after each time you fish for your favorite candy bars.
5. While handing out candy to your visitors, make sure your pets are safely kept somewhere away from the entrance to your home to avoid any excitement from all the hubbub. When you leave the house to go on your mission for candy, ensure your pets are safe in the house where they will not be spooked by the doorbell (this shouldn’t be much of an issue if you remember to turn off your front light).
6. Avoid adding spooky features to your home that could lead to injuries. These include anything popping out to scare trick-or-treaters.
7. Consider decorating your jack-o-lanterns with LED lights instead of real candles. This will lower the risk of your porch or other decorations from catching fire. If you do use real candles, be mindful not to leave them unattended. Common decorations like hay bales and fake cobwebs are highly flammable.

Following these important tips will help make a fun, spooky and safe Halloween that you, your family and trick or treaters far and wide will appreciate. Before the night of screams comes, consider giving our office a call to review your homeowners insurance and ask any questions about decorating for the big night. We want you to have fun, and we want you to be safe.