Halloween Safety

The annual appearance of frightening skeletons, broomstick-riding witches, and carved pumpkins is a strong indicator that autumn has here.  Second, only Christmas surpasses Halloween in terms of consumer spending on decorations.  Americans of all ages appear to like celebrating Halloween.  However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Halloween can be a dangerous period with an increase in motor vehicle accidents.  The reason for this is a combination of factors such as increased foot traffic on Halloween, reduced visibility owing to costumes and masks, and the amount of alcohol ingested by partygoers.

•        Always keep a flashlight with you

•        Walk, not run

•        Only approach houses that are lit

•        Make certain that the costumes do not drag on the ground

•        Stay in known areas

•        Decorate with the flow of traffic in mind.  Place them so that they don't fall over, blow away, or become a tripping hazard.

•        Do not overload electrical sockets when plugging in your frightening indoor decorations.

•        Avoid cutting across yards or driveways

•        Only bring flexible knives, swords, or other props

•        Follow traffic signal

•        Allow for appropriate floor and exit lighting when hosting a haunted house.  Keep exits clear to avoid tripping.

•        Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic, if there is no sidewalk

•        Dress in clothing that has reflective markings or tape

•        Avoid unfamiliar animals and do not pet them

•        Stay on the sidewalks

Purchase additional protection.  If the notion of having to rein in a Halloween celebration dampens your spirits, it may be time to consider obtaining supplementary insurance to cover the event.  Homeowners might contact their insurance agent to determine the cost of increasing their liability limits to cover the increased holiday exposure.