Can you believe the holidays are just right around the corner? Yeah, neither can we. But while we look forward to holiday parties, good food, and lots of fun, this is the time of year when tragedy strikes most – causing your insurance rates to skyrocket. For example, more car accidents occur on holidays than on any other days of the year.

Over the next few months, we’re going to give you all kinds of safety tips to keep you safe and save you from having to file an insurance claim. A lot of these are no-brainers. But that doesn’t mean you can ignore them. It’s always a good idea to remind yourself of some of the basics. So, what do you need to remember about Halloween?

1) Be extra careful before, on, and after the 31^st. Even though Halloween only lasts a single day, the parties, trick-or-treating, and other events could take place for several days before and after – especially when Halloween is on a school night.

2) Plan to drive slowly through neighborhoods and watch for children, smashed pumpkins and debris in the road. After all, your auto insurance may not take kindly to the claim that “a jack-o-lantern came out of nowhere.”

3) Keep an eye on the candles. Jack-o-lanterns, though fun, pose a risk to your house, and by extension, your home insurance. Only light candles when you plan to be home. And be sure to blow them out before going to bed.

4) Make sure all windows and doors are locked. Sure, most home insurance policies cover theft, but do you really want to risk it? With thousands of ghosts and goblins wandering the streets (and the parents out with them), it is far too easy for someone to break into your home unnoticed. Even if someone is home, keep everything shut and locked.

5) Send your children out with flashlights. When children are dressed up in costume – especially dark costumes – they are difficult for drivers to see. Flashlights or glow sticks minimize your child’s risks and can make you feel a little safer as a parent.

The best insurance is always the insurance you don’t have to use. But when the holidays creep up, so do the dangers. The last thing you want to be doing this time of year is filing an insurance claim. By remembering a few small details about the holiday, you can keep yourself protected and have an enjoyable time.

If your car, house, or you are not covered by insurance, now is a good time to talk to an agent. We can get you signed up before the holidays start and get you on the path to a great year end.