Halloween isn’t just scary, it’s also dangerous

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Halloween is associated with elaborate costumes, haunted houses and, of course, candy, but it’s also linked to a number of risks, including pedestrian fatalities and theft or vandalism.

Oct. 31 may be one of the most dangerous days of the year for your children, home, car and health. The average Halloween night results in more pedestrian deaths than other nights of the year, and children aged 4 to 8 are especially at risk, according to research published Tuesday in the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics.

Doctors looked at 42 years of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and found that there were on average four more pedestrian fatalities on Halloween between 5 p.m. at 11:59 p.m. compared to one week before and after the holiday.


Researchers suggest that kids wear reflective patches on their costumes, and that limiting on-street parking could make it easier to see pedestrians.


The researchers suggested that kids wear reflective patches on their costumes, and that limiting on-street parking could make it easier to see pedestrians. “Halloween trick-or-treating encourages creativity, physical activity, and neighborhood engagement,” they wrote. “Trick-or-treating should not be abolished in a misguided effort to eliminate Halloween-associated risk.”

Halloween also brings 17% more crime-related home insurance claims than any other day of the year, including theft and vandalism, data released this week by New York-based insurance company Travelers














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See: Is Halloween really the best time of year to invest in the stock market?

Insurance companies do cover some of the issues that arise on Halloween night, according to Realtor.com, including vandalism, theft, fire and anyone hurt on your property during trick-or-treating. (Realtor.com is operated by News Corp














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Halloween brings 17% more crime-related home insurance claims than any other day of the year, including theft and vandalism.


Still, some homeowners may choose not to file a claim, especially considering many insurance policies have a $500 or $1,000 deductible, said Angi Orbann, vice president of personal insurance property at Travelers. Filing claims can lead to increased premiums. (The deductible is the amount the homeowner must pay before the insurance company covers the incident.)

Clear an easy path for trick-or-treaters and guests to get to your doorstep, Orbann added. Don’t leave lit candles inside a pumpkin or any place they’re unattended. Leave dogs on a leash or in a room away from the front door, as they may be scared by fireworks or confuse trick-or-treaters with intruders.

There are ways to avoid a horror on Halloween. Homeowners should ensure homes are lit and show some activity to deter vandals and thieves from breaking in, said Scott Humphrey, second vice president of risk control at Travelers. He suggests using timers for inside and outside of your home, as well as garages and sheds. “Sometimes, lighting is just enough to deter somebody from targeting it,” he said.

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Source : MTV