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Carving pumpkins and lighting jack-o-lanterns is a longstanding Halloween tradition. On the night of October 31, orange globes illuminate yards, walkways and homes. Every year, though, there are accidents associated with jack-o-lanterns. At Colling Insurance Services, we want to remind everyone who will be carving a pumpkin this year to do so safely, and we’ve compiled a few tips to help keep you, your family, and your friends from having a mishap.
Jack-O-Lantern Safety
Carving a pumpkin shouldn’t be any more dangerous than cutting up a squash for dinner. After all, pumpkins are just big squashes. Often however, people aren’t as cautious when they’re carving a pumpkin as when they’re chopping on the kitchen counter. Remember to pay attention to what you’re doing when carving a pumpkin, and to:
- never use a knife while intoxicated
- supervise children when they’re carving
- avoid placing finished jack-o-lanterns where people will walk
- illuminate jack-o-lanterns with lights rather than candles
The latter two suggestions won’t keep anyone from cutting themselves, but they can help reduce the risk of tripping or starting a fire.
Home Insurance Coverages
Before making the first cut into a pumpkin, you may want to review your home insurance coverages. Your homeowners insurance’s liability coverage may cover accidents related to pumpkin carving, and its fire protection might cover fires started by candles in jack-o-lanterns. Whether its coverages will provide protection in these types of scenarios will depend on your policy’s terms and conditions, and the incident.
For help determining what types of accidents your homeowners insurance covers, contact us. Our agents are licensed to help residents of Colorado with their insurance needs, so they can help you with your homeowners insurance if you live in Lakewood, CO. To get in touch with them, send us a message online.