Most people associate Halloween with costumes, candy and pumpkins. But what about accidents, vandalism and property damage?

“Halloween is a night of fun and celebration, but it is also one of the most accident-prone of the year,” said Steven Gruber of Wisconsin personal injury attorney Gruber Law. “There are a lot of hidden risks that people often overlook.”

Homeowner concerns also increase around Halloween, with 36% concerned about liability in accidents and 22% concerned about property damage such as vandalism, according to a recent survey.

To help alleviate these fears, there are proactive and preventive steps you can take in advance to prepare yourself and protect your property.

Risks to put on your radar

There are a few Halloween-related dangers that homeowners should be aware of before the spooky holiday.

These include “trip and fall hazards from trick-or-treaters or dog bites due to increased foot traffic,” said Peter Piotrowski, Chief Claims Officer at Hippo.

Vandalism is also a major problem during ‘Mischief Night’, the night before Halloween, and on Halloween night itself. The threat of fire is also a concern.

“Exterior decorations can increase liability risks, such as electrical wiring issues that could lead to fires,” says Piotrowski.

Placing lit candles in carved pumpkins can also pose another fire hazard.

Preventive steps to be taken

As a homeowner, you have a responsibility to ensure that your property is free of hazards that could pose a hazard or cause damage. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent accidents before they happen.

First, make sure there is a clear path to your door, without any toys, debris or garden tools for someone to trip over.

“Make sure sidewalks are maintained, railings are secure, and outdoor areas are well lit,” Piotrowski advises.

If it’s snowing or icy outside, shovel snow and then use deicer, sand or kitty litter on stairs, driveways and walkways to ensure they are slip-resistant.

Avoid outdoor decorations that use extension cords that people can trip over.

If you have electrical wires in your front yard, cover them with cord protectors or tape to secure them to the ground.

To prevent fires, use electric lights or glow sticks instead of candles in your pumpkins, and never nail or nail extension cords or wires.

Decorations such as corn stalks, crepe paper and dried flowers are highly flammable. So keep them away from open flames or heat sources such as space heaters or light bulbs, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.

To help prevent vandalism on your property, Piotrowski recommends “the use of video surveillance and good lighting.”

If you’re a pet owner, make sure you have a plan for your furry friend for trick-or-treaters arrive.

“Restrain pets regardless of whether you think they are friendly,” says Gruber.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the best place to keep your pet is indoors, in a room away from the front door, during trick-or-treating hours.

Check your insurance coverage

After you’ve taken steps to accident-proof your home, it’s time to make sure you’re covered in case an accident occurs.

“A standard homeowners policy provides limited coverage for medical payments for guests of the policyholder if a guest is injured on the homeowner’s property and requires medical treatment, regardless of whether there is negligence on the part of the policyholder,” says Alex Burgess, a chief strategist at insurance software platform Hi Marley.

Check your policy statements to make sure you have two types of liability coverage: Coverage E, which covers legal fees and damages, and Coverage F, which covers medical bills.

“We recommend about $500,000 in liability coverage for home policies,” says Jessica Edmondson, director of data journalism at Insurify.

But even if you do have the right coverage, home insurance premiums typically increase by 7% to 10% after a single claim, according to Hippo.

What should you do if someone is injured on your property?

If someone is injured on your property, make sure the injured person receives immediate medical attention or call 911 (depending on the extent of the injuries). Medical records can be useful in a claim.

Be sure to obtain the injured person’s contact information and, if possible, take photos and/or videos of the accident scene. Stay at the scene and call the police. Even if they don’t file a formal report, they can still document the incident and take statements.

“Report any claims as soon as possible,” says Piotrowski. “If in doubt, please contact your insurer who can guide you through the claims process.”

What should you do if your property is damaged?

If you experience property damage due to Halloween, such as vandalism, you should first determine whether the repair costs will be higher or lower than your deductible. (If it’s less, it probably doesn’t merit an insurance claim.)

If you decide to file a claim, contact your insurance company and see whether or not you should file a police report, as filing a report can speed up the process. Take photos of all damage and upload or email them to your insurance company as soon as possible.

Your insurance agent will then appoint a claims adjuster to assess the damage.

Then, with any luck, you’ll run out of tricks as you navigate the claims process.