TAMPA, FLA - Halloween can be spooky and scary. With a little trick and a little treat, you’re destined to be merry. Fairies, and witches and goblins roam the streets. Looking for what yummy sweets they can eat. But the one task we can all achieve, is making sure we’re safe on all Hallow’s Eve.

Everyone LOVES Halloween! Getting to dress up, decorate, disguise yourself - what could be more fun? We’ll tell you what might not be fun, any potential dangers as a result of someone being hurt on your property! Who wants to be liable for that?

Something about Halloween brings more property crime and insurance claims to be filed. “On average, crime-related insurance claims spike by 24% on Halloween, more than on any other day of the year, according to 2016 data from Travelers Insurance,” (Anderson & Associates Insurance Group, “The Insurance Risks Posed by Halloween). Could this be a result of someone trying to mimic illicit Freddy or Jason tactics? Or does the nostalgia of dark magic and urban legends bring out the “disturbed” of the bunch? 

On a lighter note, there are many steps to take this Halloween to ensure you, your family and even your property are safe and protected:

• Before the activities commence, it might be a good idea to walk the premises and remove any debris or foreign objects that might be in the path of a walkway. Ex: extension cords should be securely fastened to the ground and out of the way if possible.

• Having a well-lit driveway and front yard will make it easy for trick-or-treaters to be able to see better and safely navigate themselves.

• Inviting others inside your home doesn’t just pose risks for liability if someone is injured on your property, but it also raises concerns of social distancing. COVID-19 is still alive and well, folks.

• Decorations should be set up with the traffic flow in mind. Make sure hanging objects are securely fastened and held up high enough.

• Do not overload electrical outlets! Power surges and outages are one thing, but a fire set to your home is another. 

• When it comes to lighting, avoid any kind of open flame. Consider using LED lights or battery-operated candles instead. You can also check to see if the lights you are using have been tested for safety.

• Decorations should not be paper-like, these are highly combustible. 

• Never staple, nail or tie electrical wiring.

• All outside lights and chords should be plugged into a GFCI, or ground-fault circuit interrupter, to prevent electric shock. 

As some of these tips can seem like potential dangers, it’s always best to consult with your agent to gain some insight and make sure you have proper coverage if something were to happen. You can always purchase an umbrella policy that will cover any extra liability that might not already be scheduled on your current policy.

At Clifton and Lewis, we offer many different forms of umbrella policies that can be explained by any of our leading agents. Halloween doesn’t always have to be scary! Enjoy the best of life knowing you're safe and covered.