Here’s how to protect yourself from possible Halloween horrors – fire, injury or allergic reactions

As you fill your candy bowl and carve your pumpkins in preparation for All Hallow’s Day, it’s worth thinking about the risks that come with the spooky festivities and how to prepare for them.

Maybe force the neighborhood kids to work for their treats by making them run around with screams, fog, and strobe lights to get to the bowl of candy.

Before inviting trick-or-treaters to walk screaming through the elaborate areas of your home (or garage), consider safeguards against the potential risk, said Michael Giusti, an analyst at Insurancequotes.com.

If a guest is injured on your property, personal liability insurance on most homeowners or renters insurance policies will cover claims of up to $500,000 per injured person. For example, if a guest slips and falls on your porch steps, standard homeowner’s or renter’s insurance will cover that, Giusti said.

Experts say standard insurance can also cover damage related to a Halloween party at your home. This type of special event takes place on your property, so you are not required to purchase special event insurance. You would only need to purchase special event insurance if you were planning a block party on your street with your neighbors.

In Los Angeles County, most cities require at least one person to complete a block party application, apply for a permit from the city, and obtain special event insurance.

Travelers, Allstate, Progressive and USAA are among the insurers offering special event policies, typically for less than $100, that provide up to $1 million in bodily injury and property damage coverage. These policies may also provide coverage for non-refundable deposits, cancellation fees, injuries, property damage and liability.

Liability insurance covers losses for which the insured person is legally responsible, such as medical expenses that arise through your fault, said Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communications at the Insurance Information Institute.

For example, if a guest at your party consumed alcohol and then had an accident on the drive home, the driver could be sued, Ruiz said, and possibly you, too, “as a participant in their drinking.” Your standard insurance will cover the cost of your defense until the amount of your insurance sum.

Halloween decoration and fire safety

If you drive through any neighborhood in Los Angeles County, you will find several houses with a giant inflatable pumpkin, Jack Skellington, or a ghost arch.

In some houses, lighted jack-o-lanterns, witches or ghosts hang on the trees.

Although Halloween decorations are fun and even scary in some cases, they can potentially become a fire hazard.

According to the National Fire Protection Assn. Between 2018 and 2022, an average of 835 building fires per year started with ignited decorations.

According to the association, these fires caused an average of three fire-related deaths, 30 fire-related injuries and $14 million in direct property damage per year.

“Nearly half – 47% – of these fires started because the decorations were too close to a heat source, such as a candle or hot appliances,” the NFPA said.

The NFPA and the Los Angeles Fire Department have published a list of Halloween fire safety codes of conduct, including:

Do When lighting your jack-o-lantern, look for alternatives to wax candles, such as: E.g. glow sticks or battery-operated candles.

Not Overload your outlets with extra lights and appliances.

Do Keep exits clear of decorations so that nothing blocks the escape route in an emergency.

Not Place decorations near open flames or other heat sources such as light bulbs and radiators.

Do Make sure all smoke detectors are working properly.

If a fire breaks out on your property, standard home contents insurance will usually cover the damage. In addition to repairs to the main house, a standard policy will cover damage to detached structures (such as a garage) up to about 10% of the amount of insurance you have on the house itself.

Homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies usually come with deductibles, meaning they only cover losses from damage or theft above a certain amount.

Distribute treats

Handing out candy to masked children is a holiday tradition, so it’s not something people often think about when it comes to liability insurance. But experts say you should.

If you’re handing out treats that are in the original packaging, it’s up to the trick-or-treater (or his parents) to sift through the handouts to find the ones he may be allergic to. You cannot be held liable if you do not ask about peanut allergies before handing out Snickers packages.

However, you can be held liable if you distribute homemade treats – for example, if you bake cupcakes and distribute them without properly labeling the ingredients. The good news, Giusti said, is that in the event your handmade treat causes someone an allergic reaction that requires medical treatment, there is a clause in standard homeowners’ insurance called “medical payments for others” that will cover you .

Health insurance coverage is intended for people other than yourself or your family who are injured or become ill on your property and require medical attention. If you or someone in your family needs medical attention, it will be covered by your health insurance, Ruiz said.

Tricks that go too far – vandalism and theft

Whether you’re out trick-or-treating with your family or staying home to give candy, “On the busiest night on the porch, safety is key,” said Mimi Swain, Chief Commercial Officer at Ring.

It’s common for a front door to be equipped with a Ring doorbell or other camera-equipped home security device, and Swain said you can use that to your advantage this Halloween. For example, these cameras can show you whether the person at your door is a child looking for candy or someone less innocent.

It is also common for vandalism or theft to be captured by doorbell cameras on the property. In some cases, neighbors across the street also took photos.

If someone takes advantage of Halloween to steal items from your porch or side of the house, Giusti said this type of theft is covered by general homeowners and renters insurance policies.

It may be helpful to have the footage when reporting the incident to a police or sheriff’s department as well as your insurer.

In addition to a home security camera, owners might also consider purchasing a complete home security system.

You can install one that you monitor yourself, or you can hire a home security company to install and monitor a system for a monthly fee.

“If you want to increase the security of your home, I generally recommend security cameras and motion detectors that can alert you to suspicious activity, especially in blind spots around the home, as these can serve as entry points for intruders,” said Kim Wright, Director of Corporate Security at ADT.

She shared some additional tips for securing your home:

• If possible, park your car in your garage and make sure it is locked.
• Include smaller, valuable items like bicycles, grills and lawnmowers that could be a potential target for theft.
• Have only one place in your home where you can greet trick-or-treaters.
• Let a neighbor know if you won’t be there that evening.
• Keep your pets safe as they may run out of the open door out of fear.
• Make sure your security cameras are operational and recording even after trick-or-treating.