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Health & Fitness

Halloween Safety Precautions to Avoid Risks & Liability

During the celebration of Halloween many home owners plan a yard haunt. This is a home that is adorned with scary Halloween decorations, creatures, tombstones, skeletons, frightening music, light effects, cobwebs and more. Some of the displays can be quite elaborate.

But, what are the risks and safety precautions that you need to be aware of when planning your yard haunt display?

 First and foremost is checking with your insurance agency and determine if you need to add to your coverage during the time of your display. You are liable if someone gets hurt by tripping or falling. Also to consider is that the decorations or elaborate lighting, visual and sound effect items may be stolen or damaged. Your home property insurance should be able to cover you for this short window with extra insurance coverage.

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 Next is to plan out the safety of the yard haunt:

 Walk Ways – Make sure they are wide so that people can walk through without the obstruction of the Halloween objects on display. This adds safety and deters vandalism.

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 Lighting – To ensure safety from special effect lighting, make sure plugs and wires have no damage and fit tight into the sockets and are secured properly. Only use electrical cords that are specified for outdoor use and out of the walk way to avoid tripping. Plug into ground circuit protectors to prevent electrical shocks.

 Jack-O-Lanterns – To avoid fire if someone brushes by too close with his/her costume by using a battery operated candles or light sticks.

 Fog Machines & Dry Ice – Both are used to create fog effects but both need special safety precautions. Fog machines if done in excess, can cause eye irritations. Dry ice will also create a fog effect, but skin contact must be avoided to prevent burns.

 Warning Signs – There are many, especially little ones, who do not want to pass through a scary yard haunt, so alert your trick-or-treaters with signage indicating they will be experiencing frightening and sometimes gruesome displays. It may be a great idea to have another walk way where your visitors can have a “not so scary” experience.

 Human Ghosts, Goblins and Scary Monsters –Make sure they are aware that touching visitors is off limits.

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