Top Home and Auto Safety Tips to Keep in
Mind Ahead of the Spooky Season
LOS
ANGELES, Oct. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ghosts,
goblins and ghouls will soon be taking to the streets as Halloween
festivities commence. Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) wants to help
keep you, your loved ones and your property safe to avoid any
unnecessary scares that might be lurking.
"Halloween is a great time to gather with friends and family,
but it can also wreak havoc on your home and property if you aren't
prepared," said Bonnie Lee, vice
president of property claims at Mercury Insurance. "Homeowners
should stay vigilant by taking precautionary measures around their
homes and checking their policies to ensure they are updated."
Whether you plan to host a Halloween party, welcome
trick-or-treaters or just enjoy a cozy night indoors, here are some
safety tips to ensure you have a spookily safe evening:
- Clear pathways of debris. Remove outdoor items such as
garden hoses, tools and children's toys from the walkway leading up
to your home.
- Turn the lights on. Turn your porch and sidewalk lights
on so guests can see their way to your door — even a clear walkway
is hard to navigate in the dark. Activate any motion sensor lights
outside your home and keep a light on indoors if you plan to be
away for the evening.
- Lock the front door and back gates. With
trick-or-treaters coming and going, keeping your front door
unlocked is tempting, but this provides a perfect opportunity for
thieves to strike. "Lock the front door every time you close it, or
better yet, set up camp outside your front door if possible so that
you can monitor your home and eliminate the need to go in and out,"
advised Lee.
Keep any back gates, back-facing garage doors or entranceways
closed and locked to make your yard less desirable to burglars.
- Drive carefully. Be cautious while driving, especially
in residential areas. Keep an eye out for pedestrians or children
who may dart out into the street without warning — especially
between parked cars.
- Park your car in a safe place. If possible, park your
car in a garage. If you don't have access to a garage, make sure to
park in a well-lit, populated area and always lock your
vehicle.
- Stay visible. Attach glow sticks to members of your
party and bring a flashlight with you so motorists can see you in
the dark when crossing streets and passing driveways.
- Don't text and walk. Put phones and other devices away
and pay attention to drivers on the road — save the photos and
updates for when you get home.
- Watch where you cross the street. Use crosswalks,
traffic signals and street corners when crossing roads. Avoid
crossing the street between parked cars and remember to look left
and right to check for cars before stepping off the curb.
- Review your policy. Crime-related claims tend to spike
around Halloween. Fortunately, the right kind of insurance can help
you deal with many of these felonious pranks. Talk to your
insurance agent before Halloween to review your current
coverage.
For more Halloween safety tips, visit Mercury's blog.
Headquartered in Los Angeles,
Mercury Insurance provides auto, homeowners and business insurance
through nearly 4,100 employees and a network of more than 6,500
independent agents in 11 states.
About Mercury Insurance
Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance
carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance
directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents
in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New
Jersey, New York,
Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in
Florida. Mercury also writes
business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril
and mechanical protection insurance in various states.
Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value
for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with
excellent customer service. Mercury has earned "A" ratings from
A.M. Best and Fitch, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company"
designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit
www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on Twitter or
Facebook.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercury-insurance-wants-you-to-have-a-spookily-safe-halloween-302288228.html
SOURCE Mercury General Corporation