Is Your House Haunted by These Harrowing Hazards?

Halloween is full of ghosts and ghouls, but the last thing you want is a haunted house for real. While you’re preparing for a parade of make-believe monsters to arrive on your doorstep, don’t let your home become the next nightmare on Elm Street — stay safe and exorcise these demonic dangers before the witching hour arrives!

Things That Go Bump in the Night

Tripping or falling is no treat — in fact one out of five falls causes serious injury! Prevent accidents outside by sweeping your walkways, repairing loose or crumbling stairs and installing sturdy handrails on your porch and steps. Pressure-wash moldy paths before they create slimy, slippery conditions and ensure walkways are well-lit from curb to doorstep. Motion-detection lighting adds both safety and security to keep wandering ghosts at bay.

Indoors, falls from unsecured carpets can leave you bandaged up like The Mummy — use nonskid pads and avoid running lamp or extension cords beneath area rugs. Keep hallways free of clutter and watch for pets before you go down the stairs. Your black cat doesn’t want to bring you bad luck!

Bubble, Bubble Toil and Trouble

Be careful of your cauldron bubbling over. According to the Red Cross, most home fires start when cooking in the kitchen. Keep kitchen towels away from the stove and a fully charged fire extinguisher on hand — remember to never put water on a grease fire.

Fiery Frights

Spooky candles and jack-o’-lanterns can brighten a dark and stormy night, but they can also become the source of a home fire. Keep live flames in secure locations well away from children and pets. Never leave lit candles unattended. That lamp that switches off on its own might not be a sign from beyond — it could be due to faulty or failing home wiring. Check cords, plugs and switches regularly, and don’t overload power strips or outlets. Chimneys may invoke images of Santa Claus, but neglecting this structure now can create a real nightmare before Christmas. Blockages can lead to fire, so inspect and clean your chimney annually and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. And get in the habit of cleaning the lint trap of your dryer after every use because dryers are responsible for 9 out of 10 appliance fires.

Hocus Pocus

All Hallows Eve is scary enough without worrying about hidden dangers lurking in your house. Make sure you have adequate homeowners insurance coverage in place for an added layer of protection against life’s real frights. Contact your local We Insure agent today for a fast and free quote.

And now that you’ve banished your Halloween home hazards, get into a spooky spirit with one of these haunted house movies:

1.     Poltergeist

2.     The Haunting

3.     Beetlejuice

4.     The Others

5.     The Woman in Black

6.     The Amityville Horror

7.     Crimson Peak

8.     Rebecca (1940)

9.     Casper

10.  The Haunted Mansion

Sources

https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/is-your-home-a-fire-hazard.html