Spooky‑Season Safety: Preparing Your Home for Halloween and Beyond
- Gerald Burns
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Halloween is one of the most eagerly anticipated nights of the year, but it also brings a noticeable uptick in mishaps. Legal experts note that homeowners insurance claims jump by as much as 14 percent on Halloween compared to other nights. Slippery leaves, tangled cords, and dimly lit steps can quickly turn a festive evening into an insurance headache.
I learned that the hard way during my first year in our century-old house. I had draped fake cobwebs over the front railings and scattered pumpkins on the steps. A few hours in, a pirate princess tripped over a power cord hidden beneath the webs. Thankfully, she wasn’t hurt, but her mother gently reminded me to clear the walkway. It was a much-needed wake-up call: celebrating safely is just as important as setting the mood.
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Light the Way and Clear the Path
A well-lit path is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent falls. Legal experts emphasize the importance of keeping walkways and staircases free of hazards and ensuring adequate lighting. Sweep away leaves, stow garden hoses, and secure any loose stones or boards. Consider installing solar path lights or motion-activated floodlights along your walkway.
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Did you know?
Halloween is the deadliest day of the year for young pedestrians — children are three times more likely to be struck and killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day.
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These turn on automatically when someone approaches, illuminating dark areas without requiring cords across your driveway. A smart video doorbell can also enhance security by letting you see who’s at your door and providing a record if something happens.
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Decoration Safety and Pet Precautions
Those giant inflatable ghosts and elaborate spiderwebs are fun — until they become a hazard. Homeowners insurance usually covers injuries that happen on your property, but misusing decorations could jeopardize your coverage. Legal sources warn that failing to follow installation instructions may give insurers grounds to deny a claim. Hang decorations securely, use LED string lights instead of open flames, and avoid running cords where guests walk.
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Did you know?
Over the past three years, U.S. emergency departments treated an annual average of 3,200 Halloween‑related injuries — and 25% of those were due to falls while putting up or taking down decorations or tripping on costumes and décor.
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Pets need attention, too. Even the friendliest dog can become anxious with costumed strangers and constant doorbell ringing. Safety experts recommend keeping pets secured and away from guests. Setting up a quiet room or using a smart pet camera to check on them between candy runs can help reduce everyone’s stress.
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Understand Your Liability
Most homeowners insurance policies include liability coverage and “medical payments” protection, which together cover injuries occurring on your property. Typical liability limits range from $100,000 to $300,000, though many agents suggest opting for higher limits or adding an umbrella policy. If someone is hurt, notify your insurer promptly—delays can give them reason to deny your claim. You also have a legal duty to warn visitors of hazards you can’t remove; posting a sign or verbally cautioning guests helps demonstrate you acted responsibly.
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Not sure if your liability limits are high enough? Visit CityInsuranceMN.com to get a personalized review and see if an umbrella policy makes sense for your situation.
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Beyond Halloween: Smart Safety Upgrades
Safety doesn’t end once the pumpkins are packed away. Smart home devices offer year-round protection and may qualify you for insurance discounts. Many insurers offer credits for professionally monitored alarms, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems. Water damage is another leading cause of claims, so installing a smart leak detector near your washing machine or under sinks can alert you early — and may earn you a discount. Bundling these devices with a home security system not only safeguards your family but could also lower your premiums.
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Curious which safety upgrades might qualify for discounts? Check out our recommended products and request a quote at CityInsuranceMN.com to learn how preventive measures can lower your premiums.
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Halloween & Home Insurance – Frequently Asked Questions
What steps can I take to prevent trick-or-treater injuries on my property?
Keep paths and stairs free of obstacles, ensure adequate lighting, place decorations away from walkways, secure pets indoors, and warn guests about any hazards.
Does my homeowners insurance cover accidents on Halloween?
Yes. Most homeowners policies include liability and medical payments coverage for injuries on your property. Be sure to report incidents to your insurer promptly.
Can smart home devices lower my insurance premium?
Many insurers offer discounts for monitored security systems, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and connected leak detectors.
Does homeowners insurance cover stolen decorations or vandalism on Halloween?
Yes—most homeowners policies will cover theft of decorations or vandalism to your property after you meet your deductible. However, damage to your car is handled under your auto policy; you need comprehensive coverage to protect against vandalism or theft of the vehicle. If decorations themselves are stolen from your lawn or porch, your homeowners insurance may reimburse you.
Will my homeowners insurance cover a dog‑bite injury if my pet bites a trick‑or‑treater?
Generally, yes—dog bites are typically covered under the liability and medical payments sections of a homeowner’s policy. That said, exclusions vary by state and by insurance company, and some insurers refuse to cover certain breeds. It’s wise to check your policy and, if needed, discuss an umbrella liability policy for extra protection.
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