ALEXANDRIA, VA – Oct. 28, 2009 —Many consumers may not realize how scary Halloween might really be for their personal safety, their property…or their pocketbooks. Trusted Choice® agents and spokespeople can help families prepare for Halloween hazards that may come in disguise.

To help families and businesses have a good time and protect themselves against Halloween risks, Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, offers the following Halloween safety tips:

• Prevent Accidents: Remove lawn furniture, or any other obstacles, to avoid accidents or damage. Ensure your home’s entry is in good condition, free of loose or broken pieces on stairwells and walkways to avoid trick-or-treaters’ injuries on your property.
• Fire Dangers: Prevent fires by making sure pumpkins containing candles are placed at a distance where a child’s costume cannot be ignited or a curious guest may tip it over. Extinguish all candles before going to bed and use battery operated lights wherever possible.
• Costume Safety: Be careful with costumes. All disguises should be made from flame-resistant materials and shouldn’t be too long or contain sharp accessories. Try to avoid masks that may obscure vision and try to use hypo-allergenic make-up instead.
• See and Be Seen: Encourage each trick-or-treater to carry a flashlight. Apply light-reflecting material to costumes.
• Don’t be a Scary Driver: Drive sober, slowly and even more carefully than usual on Halloween. Watch for children who may be running or wearing dark costumes in the road.
• Power in Numbers: When walking, travel in groups and cross only at corners—never between parked cars—and stay on well-lit streets.
• Unwelcomed Guests: Deter property vandalism by keeping outdoor lights on.
• Pet Safety: Keep pets inside. Warn your children to stay away from animals as they visit door-to-door. Halloween night can be stressful, even on the friendliest dog or cat.
• Candy Inspection:  Cavities aren’t the only candy-related risks on Halloween. Inspect children’s treats. Never eat unwrapped items, collect candy only from those you know and ask the local police department if it offers a candy x-ray service. Throw away any suspicious candy.

For more information on Halloween safety or to speak with an IIABA expert, please contact Sue Nester (broadcast), (703) 706-5448, susan.nester@iiaba.net or Margarita Tapia (print) at (703) 706-5374, margarita.tapia@iiaba.net.

Trusted Choice® agencies are insurance and financial services firms.  They represent multiple insurance companies, offering individuals and business owners a variety of coverage choices, customized insurance plans to meet specialized needs as well as advocacy support.  These firms adhere to a pledge of performance, committing them to providing excellent customer service.  Go to www.TrustedChoice.com and click on “Find a Trusted Choice® Agent” on the homepage to locate the right agency for your needs.

Founded in 1896, IIABA (the Big “I”) is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.

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