Hosting a holiday party this year? You’ll need to make sure you and your guests are safe. Here are some tips to help protect your home and guests during the season.
Golf Cart – Shuttle guests in golf carts to the party. Don’t allow a teenager or neighbor to park cars. An accident could lead to a liability lawsuit.
Guiding Light – Use light to define gathering areas, especially if you live on a large lot. Maintain ample lighting for outdoor and indoor party spaces to avoid falls and injury. Also, ensure access roads are lit.
Friends of friends? – Basic background checks can limit your liabilities when hosting large events, when you may not know the entire “who’s who?” of your guest list.
Barn Stables – Horse stables, pools and areas under construction can be dangerous. Build temporary fencing around areas where guests shouldn’t wander, slip and fall.
Walk this way – For larger events, hire staff to usher guests to designated party spaces, and block access to restricted areas.
Black ice on the stoop? – Unsmooth surfaces can create fall zones. As night falls and temperatures drop, driveways can become slick and ice can be invisible. Sprinkle salt or gravel on the driveways during the party.
James King is field technical manager for Chubb Personal Insurance appraisal and loss prevention.
