It’s definitely been a difficult, stressful year, and COVID-19 has led to many things being cancelled. And with Halloween coming up, you might be worried about how to celebrate the holiday and have fun safely during the pandemic. You might be wondering whether you even want to do anything celebrate. There are a few things to keep in mind about Halloween during coronavirus. Here are some tips for Halloween 2020.
This year has been different than, well, pretty much any year in memory – and that’s an understatement. And with Halloween only weeks away, there are a lot of questions and concerns about how to celebrate the holiday safely. Usually Halloween is a joyous time filled with laughter and, true, shrieking. While there is indeed a pandemic happening, that doesn’t mean that you have to completely ignore Halloween. The CDC has a lot of suggestions about how to celebrate and have fun, and they even have it broken down by the level of risk each activity presents. Here are a few options for making this Halloween during COVID-19 fun and safe.
Here are a few activities that the CDC classifies as low-risk:
Carving pumpkins is a classic fall or Halloween activity. And pumpkins can still be a part of Halloween during COVID-19. You can carve up some pumpkins with your family at home, or you can set up an outdoor carving session with some neighbors or friends (keeping every one at a safe distance from each other, of course). Then you can display the jack-o-lanterns for people to see!
You can have a nice, fun Halloween that involves some exercise and fresh air by creating a list of Halloween or fall-related things for the kids to check off as you go for a walk. (And, you know, you can get the kids to burn off some energy as they go around and search for the items on the list.)
You can also stash candy around the house and have a “candy hunt” at home. Hey, you’ve got to make the kids work for it, right? So, let the kids have some fun, tear the house apart a bit, and search for some Halloween treats. They might be bummed because they can’t go trick-or-treating, but at least you can console them with their candy-hunt! (And that still gives you the opportunity to take some fun pictures.)
You don’t have to completely eschew costumes this year. You can use video calls to do a costume fashion show. There’s a lot of ways you can let the kids show off the great costumes they picked out.
You can also arrange to have a Halloween movie night. That can help everyone get in the spirit of the holiday. So, fix up some fun snacks, choose some Halloween movies, and settle in. (And don’t forget the candy, of course!) That’s a safe way to do Halloween during COVID-19.
There are other activities to celebrate Halloween during COVID-19 that the CDC says are “moderate risk”. You have to take stock of the risk that your plans have – be aware of the community spread in your area. If the numbers aren’t great, you might want to reconsider going out and stay in instead. And if you’ll be doing activities with any other families, ask what precautions have been taken leading up to the event and what precautions will be taken at the event.
Now, you might be wondering how you can still give out candy to adorable trick-or-treaters. You can set up what the CDC calls “one way” trick-or-treating by creating a station for goodie bags at the end of the driveway. You can set the goodie bags apart from each other so people can stay distanced. Just be sure to wash your hands properly before you make the goodie bags. There are a few other creative suggestions for handing our candy, like creating a “candy slide” out of cardboard or making a spiderweb you can attach the goodie bags to.
One more thing – it’s really, really important not to give out candy if you’re sick. You might just sit this Halloween out. (And even if you’re healthy, don’t forget to wear a protective mask.)
You can arrange a small, reasonable outdoor costume party. Just be sure to adhere to relevant guidelines for safety. That means masks and social distancing. It’s really important to keep everything safe and to take appropriate precautions. Remember, the Halloween costume mask you want to wear doesn’t take the place of a protective cloth mask, according to the CDC. A costume mask isn’t going to cut it unless it has two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers your nose and your mouth and doesn’t have any gaps. Oh, and the CDC also cautions against placing a costume mask over a protective mask because that makes it hard to breathe. You can just use a protective cloth mask that is Halloween-themed.
(And here’s an arts and craft activity – why not decorate Halloween protective masks with the kids? You can really make them fun!)
If you’re into the whole “haunted house” thing, there’s an alternative that’s more COVID-19 safe. You can consider an outdoor haunted forest where people can only travel in one direction. There should also be mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing so people will be six feet apart. But keep in mind that if you think things are going to get scary and there will be screaming, the distance has to be increased. That can help reduce the risk of viruses spreading.
You can visit a pumpkin patch where people have to use hand sanitizer, wearing a mask is mandatory, and people need to social distance. That way you can enjoy some fall fun while also staying safe. Just remember that you need to take appropriate precautions.
You can also try an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends. Keep people six feet apart, have masks, and have the hand sanitizers. Again, increase the distance between people if there’s going to be screaming involved.
Now, the CDC classifies the following activities as high-risk. That means you should probably avoid them.
(And you probably shouldn’t go to a rural fall festival not in the community if you’re in an area with a lot of community spread.)
The coronavirus doesn’t have to make Halloween a no-go. There are alternative activities you can do that will allow you to both have Halloween fun and stay safe. The CDC has suggestions for what activities are low, moderate, and high risk. Depending on your family and your comfort level, you can choose how you want to celebrate Halloween.
You also need to have the proper home insurance to protect yourself from the risks you face. Our team can help you with that. You can get in touch with our team by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us. We love helping people save money on their coverage and we love making insurance easy.
Trick-or-treating is one of the first things that come to mind when people think of Halloween. But whether you spend all year or all of the previous week picking out costumes, there are a few other things you’ll need to prepare. Here are some trick-or-treat tips to keep your Halloween, safe, fun, and more treat than trick.
When deciding between a fantastic fantasy character or creepy critter costume, you’ll want to consider how safe they can be while roaming the night. The easiest factors to consider are:
A Transformers costume made out of boxes or a long and flowing fairy dress may be cute for pictures, but when your little one is walking, running, and jumping around in excitement, it can be easy for them to slip or trip over their own two feet. Plus, tons of bulk or extra fabric can make it easier for other kids to trip someone up. Therefore, make sure your tiny ghoul’s garb fits properly and any loose ends can be tied or held close.
It’s already dark outside. You don’t want to make it harder for your child to see by covering their face with a mask. Instead, try using non-toxic, FDA-approved face paint or makeup. Before the big night, test the paint on a small portion of your child’s skin that’s not on the face. That way, an itchy or irritated face won’t put a stop to their night.
An iconic part of Halloween is the Jack-o-lantern. However, there’s no guarantee that everyone will use LEDs to light up the night. In this case, it never hurts to look for flame-resistant Halloween costumes. That may seem a little tough if you already have a costume in mind, but it’s important!
Additionally, consider the ways to reduce fire hazards during the holiday by using LED candles and never leaving lit candles unattended. While fire may be covered by your home insurance, your carrier and rates may thank you later for not filing a claim.
If your child’s costume is more cute than creepy, you may just want to opt for a lighter-colored costume. Bright colors can help your child better stand out to drivers and surrounding groups.
If your child is dead set on a darker costume, add a bit of reflective tape. There are tons of colors available at hardware stores and around the internet, so you don’t even have to ruin the aesthetic!
This spooky night doesn’t have to be scary for other reasons if you know what to watch on your night out. While you’re out with your trick-or-treaters, keep these tips in mind:
Just because the streets are full of trick-or-treaters doesn’t mean it’ll be empty of cars. Reinforce the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street and not darting out into traffic. Teach children to walk facing the direction of cars so that drivers can clearly see them and vice versa. They should also watch for cars backing out of driveways and not to look at electronics while crossing the street.
Light sources can not only help children see better while walking around, but glow sticks and accessories can be a fun add-on to a costume that will increase their visibility.
Children under the age of 12 should NOT trick-or-treat without an adult. Even if you reinforce safety rules, young minds tend to forget in all the excitement. You’ll need to go with young groups to act as an extra set of eyes and ears. If you feel comfortable letting children over 12 go door to door without you, at least make sure they’re trick-or-treating in a group. There’s power in numbers!
It’s a long-spoken rule for a reason. Houses with porch lights on are ready for trick-or-treating fun because the lights offer a highly visible, safer environment.
Even if they’re trick-or-treating around your neighborhood, chances are you don’t personally know everyone who lives around you. So, reinforce the concept of stranger danger. Remind your child never to go inside of someone’s house or to accept candy from strangers in cars.
Once the kiddos bring in their Halloween haul, inspect their treats before they dig in. Candy should be factory-wrapped, and don’t let anyone eat anything that has been unwrapped or looks homemade. For younger children, you should also sort out smaller candies that could be choking hazards.
Halloween may be prime time for some good-natured frights, there’s no need to fret over your child’s trick-or-treat fun with these tips. There’s also no need to worry about getting the best home insurance when you work with our agents. Our team is made up of professionals in the industry who know how to save you money while getting the policy you need. To start getting free, customized homeowners’ insurance quotes, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today!
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It’s that time of year again where ghosts and ghouls roam the night. That’s right – Halloween can bring along some unsavory characters and some weird happenstances. But did you know about the kinds of Atlanta insurance coverage that can help you deal with even the most supernatural of situations – and more everyday concerns? Here are some tips on how to handle a few other-worldly worries.
Perhaps the most well-known creature to cause spooky disturbances, a poltergeist can cause some major mayhem and destruction. Some tell-tale signs of an angry spirit in your home can be doors mysteriously opening and slamming shut, hot wind in a normally cool room, and oddly aggressive bumps in the night. Their activities can get especially out of hand on All Hallows Eve, though. During this time of year, you may also find new wall marks and a few fragile items thrown across the room and shattered.
Luckily, the personal property portion of your Atlanta home insurance, renters insurance, or condo insurance can help you replace any broken or damaged items due to vandalism. If you’re covered for the Replacement Cost Value (RCV) of your items, your policy will give you the full amount it will take to replace any valuables your angry spirit is not too happy with.
On the other hand, if your policy only specifies coverage for the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of your items, your insurance will only cover the depreciated cost of your belongings. So, make sure you review your declarations page for the type of personal property coverage you have. You should also make a home inventory of the items you want to cover. Otherwise, you could end up paying out of pocket for a new set of fine china.
Even though there will only be a half moon this Halloween, there are tons of different types of werewolves that could show up at the end of the month. (And tons of havoc your pet pooch could cause throughout the year.) Here’s how to handle their specific brand of destruction.
Even though there’s no full moon, when has a canine ever needed an excuse to howl? Werewolves are fast, furious, and most of all, heavy, whenever they transform. If one decides to leap onto your car’s roof, it’s going to leave a dent (and maybe some broken windows). So, you’ll need to look at your Atlanta car insurance policy to see if you have comprehensive coverage should a Lycan (or a falling tree) crumple your vehicle like a tin can.
When the creature comes to, they probably won’t remember nibbling on someone’s foot or gnawing on someone’s arm. Plus, they’ll probably be a little too strapped for cash from buying new clothes after they’ve ripped out of theirs so much. So, for them, covering an injured person’s medical bills is completely out.
Even if it’s not your werewolf, you could be found liable for their actions if they cause harm on your property. Luckily, your homeowners insurance will usually include personal liability, which can help you cover the victim’s medical costs and your legal fees should they decide to sue you. (This type of coverage can also help cover dog bites if your Halloween hound gets a little too excited around kids.)
Our agents know exactly how hectic the holiday season can be, especially one that starts off with a few Halloween spooks. We also know that finding the right insurance for your home or vehicle can be more than a little terrifying. That’s why we’re here to help. Call us at 770.497.1200 to talk to an insurance professional who can help protect your household – haunted or not.
And of course, we have the potential Halloween zombie infestation. Logistically, if the undead were running around (or limping, depending on what type of zombies we’re talking about), your local police department, SWAT team, or militia would neutralize the situation before it turned into a national epidemic. However, there would be a few casualties to the zombie virus before any of the authorities are called into action.
While you’re putting the pedal to the metal to get you and your loved ones out of town, you may have to plow through a few of the undead to safety. If the impact dents your front bumper, you’ll fortunately be covered by the collision portion of your car insurance. (Or, you know, if you hit a car or a fence or telephone pole to escape the zombies, collision coverage could help with repairs or replacement too.)
However, this does depend on how your insurance carrier categorizes zombies. If your insurance classifies the creature as a corpse, collision insurance will cover damage caused to your car by hitting an object. If your insurance company defines the zombie as an animal, though, you’ll need to have comprehensive insurance to cover damage that’s out of your control. (Comprehensive coverage would also cover you if your car caught fire or if someone stole it to escape said zombie apocalypse. It can also cover deer strikes.)
So, after you’ve finished fighting through your undead neighbors and you’re driving into the sunset, how do you wait out the small infestation? You’ve had to abandon your home, so how will you afford to eat for the next few weeks? Where will you sleep?
If you have the right homeowners policy, your Atlanta home insurance will help cover living expenses while you’re away. If you don’t have a relative a few towns outside of the corpse-covered area, the Loss of Use/Living Expenses portion of your homeowners can help you pay for things like hotel rooms, restaurant bills, and even essential supplies like soap and drinking water.
But Take Heed…
Keep in mind that this coverage will only apply if the loss that drove you from your home is covered under your policy and if the home is uninhabitable. (So, if your policy doesn’t list zombie infestation as a covered peril…you may be out of luck. But you’re probably covered for something like a fire.)
Living expenses insurance can also be found in renters and condo insurance, but you will want to keep an eye on how much you spend each day. Most carriers have a limit on the amount they’ll provide for your expenses, and they’ll only help out with the additional amount of money you’ll need to survive. So, ask your insurance agent how much you’re covered for, budget wisely, rescue as much of your cash as you can, and keep your shopping trips short to avoid those pesky corpses.
Whether you’ve been a victim of a vengeful Halloween spirit or an angsty teen, a fire or a freak of nature, a fluffy wolfman or a fuzzy deer, it’s important to have the right type of insurance coverage. We want you to have total confidence in how your policies will protect you in the scariest of situations. We also want to help you save money while doing it! Call our insurance professionals, who will help you compare affordable quotes on Atlanta insurance to address even your wildest fears, or fill out our online quote form.
Happy Halloween!
Halloween is almost upon us, and that means it’s time to talk a bit about safety during this candy-and-costumed themed holiday. Kids love Halloween – and what’s not to like? There’s fun costumes, candy, pumpkins, and, most importantly, trick-or-treating! But as a parent, it’s important to keep your children safe as they get ready for their Halloween fun. We’ve got some safety tips covering three major aspects of the spookiest holiday of the year – costumes, carving pumpkins, and trick-or-treating.
1. Make sure that the costume your child chooses fits them well, and try not to have any loose or baggy costumes. This could lead to tripping and walking hazards.
2. Consider using face makeup instead of masks, which can reduce a child’s visibility and make breathing harder. Make sure that the makeup is FDA-approved and test it on a small section of skin first. Remove it right away after the trick-or-treat fun is done – leaving makeup on can cause skin irritation.
3. Choose costumes that are made out of fire-retardant fabric.
4. Make sure that any accessories, such as fairy wands or swords, are soft and short. No need to chance someone getting hurt if they accidentally get whacked.
5. Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags to help make your kids more visible as it gets dark outside.
1. Choose your pumpkin-carving spot carefully. You should put your pumpkins on a flat surface so that the pumpkin is stable and won’t waddle around on you. Use dry, clean pumpkin carving tools so that nothing slips unexpectedly.
2. Make sure there’s plenty of light so that you can see what you’re doing.
3. Don’t let kids carve. Let them draw the face on their pumpkin or trace out a pattern, but do the actual carving yourself. Young children can watch, but make sure they don’t get too close to any sharp objects that they could accidentally hurt themselves with. Even teenagers need supervision as they’re carving their pumpkins.
4. Consider using a pumpkin-carving kit. You need the right tools to get the job done, after all. Creating magnificent Jack-o-lanterns is a serious business. Make sure you’re wielding the right instruments when you go to make the most amazing pumpkin ever. Carving kits come with special tools that are designed for pumpkins. These tools are often not super sharp, either, reducing the chance of losing a finger.
5. If you’re going to use real candles for your Jack-o-lanterns, use votive candles. You can also consider using battery-powered fake candles, as these won’t accidentally catch things on fire.
6. Speaking of things catching on fire, if you have real candles in your Jack-o-lanterns, place them away from anything that could be flammable, like curtains or furniture. Don’t leave a lit Jack-o-lantern unattended.
7. Remember, be careful and watch your fingers. Keep your hands safely where you can see them.
1. Teach your kids to be very careful crossing the street and to walk facing traffic.
2. Give them flashlights and glow sticks so that drivers can see them more easily.
3. Remind kids not to approach people in cars or accept candy from people in cars. Yes, this might be something you’ve told them a million times, but Halloween’s a great time for a refresher.
4. Accompany any children under 12 as they trick-or-treat. Responsible children 12 or older can go without a grown-up as long as they are in a group and tell their parents their route ahead of time. Make sure that they know the area that they’re trick-or-treating in very well – you don’t want anyone getting lost!
5. Teach your kids about watching for cars, even cars in driveways that might be backing out. Also, make sure they know not to run suddenly across the street.
6. Inspect the candy when the kids get home. Anything unwrapped or that looks like it’s been opened should be tossed. Get rid of anything that looks homemade. All candy should be factory-wrapped and sealed. Also, check for choking hazards and make sure that your child only eats candy that’s appropriate for their age.
7. Remind kids to pay attention to their surroundings. Make sure your kids aren’t looking at phones or electronics as they’re walking, as they need to be alert for approaching cars and hazards.
Halloween is lots of fun for the whole family. Kids love dressing up, and why not join them and get yourself a costume? While Halloween means there’s lots of entertainment and happy memories to be made, it’s important to take a second to think about safety so that you have both a happy and uneventful – in a good way – Halloween. We hope that these tips will be helpful to you as you prepare for the all-time spookiest Halloween!
Are you looking for a quote for your home insurance or auto insurance? We’d love to help you out with that! We can help you identify the risks that you and your family face and create an individualized insurance plan to protect you from them. All you have to do to get started with getting some quotes for your insurance is fill out our quote form or give us a call today.