
Halloween Safety
Ah, Halloween. A spooktacular time to dress up, eat candy, and party with friends and family. But are you at risk for Halloween hazards and insurance claims? To avoid a scare this spooky season, check out our safety tips!
All Treats, No Tricks
Trick-or-treating is a beloved holiday tradition in the United States. We all remember handing over our treat bags to our parents to check for signs of tampering. According to NPR, this is a bit of an urban legend. In fact, there has never been a credible report of a child being poisoned by Halloween candy, nor of needles or razor blades being hidden inside. But that doesn’t mean those treats are risk-free! If you’re a parent, make sure all your child’s treats are age-appropriate — the last thing you need is a choking hazard from a candy that’s too small for your little one to safely enjoy. And if your child has a food allergy, check the ingredients of each treat before you let them go wild.
Ghosts and Goblins and Ghouls, Oh My!
Of course, you can’t have trick-or-treating without a costume! Clothing is usually tested for flame-retardance. But did you know that many times, mass-produced Halloween costumes are not subject to the same tests? It’s up to you to check the tags. Acrylic is the most flammable textile, so avoid it if you can. Generally speaking, the heavier the fabric, the less likely it is to burn. Those store-bought Halloween costumes may be convenient, but the fabric is often very thin. That means it will burn readily and quickly.
Be careful of nylon, too — it’s true that it won’t go up in flames, but it melts instead, which puts you at a risk for serious burns. Halloween decorations like Jack-O-Lanterns often include candles, so be aware of your costume and make sure any long or billowy garments don’t get too close to the flame. And it’s a good idea to be sure you can easily remove costume pieces if they catch fire.
Costumes can have plenty of accessories, so keep an eye on them. If your costume has wings, or other pieces that extend, be mindful when in close quarters with others so you don’t hit them. If there’s a mask involved, be sure you can comfortably breathe and see, especially when trick-or-treating outside in the dark.
Steer Clear
Do Your Part
Time for Crime?
Holidays always come with a spike in crime. Celebration can often include alcohol, and where drinking peaks, so does crime. Halloween, however, sees a notable rise in one particular type of crime-related insurance claims: Property crime. Vandalism and theft are rampant on Halloween — whether it’s Mischief Night pranks like egging houses and cars (which can severely damage siding and paint) or decoration theft. On top of that, the increasing social-media presence most families keep now can also be a risk factor. Don’t post about trick-or-treating until you’re home already. If a would-be thief knows your house is about to be empty, it could encourage them to try breaking in. Of course, a good homeowners’ or renters’ policy will cover all these things, but it’s best if you never end up needing it!
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