Whether you are prepping your family’s homemade, traditional recipes, cleaning your home for guests or decorating for the perfect holiday festivity, hosting a holiday party is a lot work. At the same time, it can be fun, and your guests may look forward to your party for weeks. We wish parties could be all fun and games, there are some risks you should be aware of.
Alcohol
Everyone knows and understands the risks of drinking too much alcohol. However, when you are the host of a party and serving alcohol, you could be liable if someone leaves your home after having a few too many drinks and gets into an auto accident. As a host, be aware of how much your guests are drinking and ensure they have a safe ride home. You can always call a taxi or Uber for them to get home safe.
Tripping Hazards
There are so many ways a guest could trip inside or outside your home. You can be liable, and a home insurance claim may need to be placed if a guest is injured on your property. We have some ideas to consider helping avoid tripping hazards on your property:
- Have a clear walkway path from your driveway to front door. Ensure there are no extension cords, cracks in the sidewalk or an icy path where your guests could fall.
- Clear toys, decorations or other objects from the hallways and staircase in your home.
- Make sure your rugs aren’t bunched where a guest could trip.
Distracted Cooking
Cooking is the number one cause for a home fire. It is easy to get distracted when you are hosting a party and trying to cook a meal at the same time. Don’t allow yourself to multi-task or leave the kitchen while heating elements are on. Some other things to consider are:
- Know where your fire extinguisher is located in your home.
- What would you do if there was a grease fire or a fire in the oven? Grease fires do not throw water on it, you should smother it. Oven fires keep the door closed and turn off the oven.
- If you enjoy a deep-fried turkey, keep the deep fryer at least ten feet away from your home.
The holidays are about being with family and friends and remembering what the year has brought to you. Being prepared is crucial to protect yourself from liability. If you have questions about your home insurance or liability insurance, please contact R.C. Keller & Company. Have a wonderful holiday season!