Celebrate Spooky Season Safely this Year
Spooky season is well underway, and with that comes zombies and superheroes stopping at your door. Halloween should be full of fun and games for you and your families, so don’t get tricked when giving treats.
There are a number of Halloween mishaps that could ruin your fun during this holiday. Keep your family safe by reviewing the common mishaps below and tips to avoid them.
Tips to avoid Halloween Mishaps:
- Tricksters damaging your car: Over the past few years, insurance claims related to car vandalism increased on Halloween, with projectile objects ranging from raw eggs, pumpkins and rocks. Avoid letting this sort of prank affect you by parking your car in your garage.
- Candles could cause a fire: Candles and electric decorations can add a nice touch to the yard during Halloween season, however it’s important to know that these decorations may cause fires. Residential fires are more common around Halloween according to the U.S. Fire Administration. It is easy for a pet or child trick-or-treating at your door to accidentally knock over that lit candle in your carved pumpkin. Prevent a fire caused by candles by using battery-powered candles or glowsticks in your pumpkins.
- A trick-or-treater gets hurt on your property: Even when remaining safe while handing out candy during Halloween, there is always a chance that someone may get hurt on your property. Before the night of trick-or-treating begins, be sure to clean your yard and driveway. Remove leaves and brush to create a clear path to your home.
- Trick-or-Treaters act unpredictably: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, besides New Year’s, Halloween sees a higher number of pedestrian deaths than any other night of the year. As the night moves on and it gets darker, trick-or-treaters may be hard to see. Be aware of your surroundings while driving and drive more cautiously.
- Dog Bites: Dogs can get excited or protective when there are many new visitors and an overwhelmed dog may end up biting a visitor which could cause havoc. Even the most well-behaved dogs can become overwhelmed by a large amount of new people coming to the door. Protect yourself and the kids coming to trick-or-treat by keeping your family dog inside or behind a fence.
Costume Precautions
- Do not let children wear baggy or long costumes, as they are difficult to walk in and can be tripping hazards.
- Purchase wigs, costumes and accessories that are fire-retardant.
- Select face makeup and paint that is labeled as “FDA Approved” or “Non-toxic” to prevent allergic reactions.
- Place reflective tape on your children’s costumes and candy buckets if they are going trick-or-treating at night.
Trick-Or-Treating Safety
- Remind children to walk only on the sidewalk and look both ways before crossing the street.
- Do not allow children under 12 years old to go trick-or-treating by themselves.
- Remind children to never approach or get into a car with a stranger offering them candy.
- Once your children get home, inspect their candy.
Shepherd Insurance wishes you all a safe and fun Halloween this year!
