Halloween: A Night of Horrors for Some Drivers

Tricksters can take the treat out of Halloween as vandalism spikes on Oct. 31 compared to the rest of the Fall month. Based on its 2024 auto claims data, State Farm saw an average of almost 27% more auto vandalism claims across the country on Halloween compared to the rest of October last year. Knowing that some characters walking the streets will not be looking for treats, here are some practical ways to help reduce your chances of living through a nightmare this Halloween season that could end up costing you money.

Tips to Help Protect Your Home

• Keep your home brightly lit indoors and outside.
• Consider setting up a home security system with cameras. You might even qualify for discounts on your homeowners insurance.
• Try to keep shrubs and bushes trimmed so burglars have fewer places to hide.
• Clear debris and other obstacles from your lawn, sidewalks and steps.

Tips to Help Protect Your Car

• Park in a garage. If you don't have a garage, consider using motion lights that can help deter vandals and alert you or your neighbors of activity.
• When you're away from home, park in a well-lit, populated area — preferably a gated lot or secure parking garage.
• For added protection, park in a spot away from objects that might conceal vandals, such as large vehicles, dumpsters or shrubbery.

There is some good news regarding your vehicle depending on your coverage. According to State Farm, vandalism on a vehicle would be covered under your auto insurance policy’s Comprehensive Coverage. This coverage would apply to losses caused by theft or damage from a break-in, fire, glass damage, falling objects and other non-collision-related damage.

Things to Consider before Halloween

• Eliminate temptations by removing valuables from your vehicle.
• Bumper stickers may also tempt vandals. If someone doesn't agree with your expressed views, you could become the target of vandalism.
• Consider adding an alarm system and/or surveillance cameras to your car to help make it a less desirable target. Sometimes, simply having a security system decal is enough.
• Also remember to close your car windows and lock the car, even when you park at home.

Tips to Keep Trick or Treating Safe

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Here are some things to consider before heading out on foot Halloween night.

If you're going door-to-door

• Always accompany young children.
• Exercise great caution during the "scariest" hours - between 5 and 9 pm. It is especially dangerous for pedestrian accidents between 6 and 7 pm.
• Stick to neighborhoods with sidewalks. If you must walk on the street, keep to the far left, facing traffic.
• Practice safe crossing procedures - use crosswalks; wait for corners; and look left, right and left again before crossing.
• Stick reflective tape onto costumes to make your child more visible. Also have them carry a flashlight.
• Make sure costumes and shoes are the correct size to prevent tripping.
• Use face paint and leave the masks at home. They can obstruct vision.
• If an older child is venturing out without supervision, ask them to go with a group. Discuss the route and agree on a curfew. Give older kids cell phones so they can stay in touch.

If you're driving

• Drive slowly.
• Be alert for children and eliminate in-car distractions.
• Practice extra caution at intersections and corners.
• Pull in and out of driveways carefully.
• Discuss these and other driving pointers with your teen driver.