We're a social society, and we love to celebrate life's biggest events surrounded by our closest friends and family, whether it's a birthday, graduation, baby shower, family reunion, or a fun crawfish boil with friends. However, hosting a party can come with certain risks, and these risks, if left unchecked, can lead to accidents and potential liability claims. Rather than risk loved ones or close friends getting hurt, homeowners can mitigate these risks through a few proactive steps. In today's Aegis blog post, we offer a few ways party hosts can help reduce accidents and liability risks on their property or at their event.

Improve Kitchen and Grill Safety

Food is an important part of any good party, but the kitchen can also be one of the most common locations for accidents, injuries, or property damages. Homeowners can help reduce the threat of kitchen fires, slips, and burns by limiting the number of people inside the kitchen, ensuring no cooking is left unattended, and immediately cleaning up any spills on the floor. In addition, all outdoor grills should be used properly, far away from buildings and furniture, and in well-ventilated areas. Also, homeowners should have working fire extinguishers in the kitchen, garage, and near grilling areas.

Make Transportation Plans For Intoxicated Guests

If you plan to serve alcohol at your party or function, it's important to have plans in place for inebriated guests to make it home safely without them driving themselves. To reduce the possibility of a friend or loved one getting behind the wheel drunk, party hosts can provide safer options for them to choose from, including having a designated driver available, or calling taxi or ride-sharing services.

Secure Pets

Pets are like close family members, but when their owners host parties or large gatherings in the home, the crowds and party noises can make pets become stressed and agitated, making them more likely to attack or injure guests. To prevent any accidental bites, scratches, or other injuries, pet owners should consider caging their pets, putting them in a secure room away from guests, or sending them to a pet boarding facility. This ensures the safety of pets as well as any guests in the home.

Consider Increasing Insurance Coverage

Finally, even the safest and most proactive hosts can still have an accident occur at their home or event, so it may be worth it to secure Personal Liability Umbrella Insurance coverage. This type of Liability Umbrella coverage works by providing financial protection for any liability costs above what is covered by existing insurance policies. This can be a great help in the event a guest is seriously injured in your home and faces substantial medical expenses as a result, or if your family is sued for an accident occurring in your home.

We all want guests in our home to have a pleasant time and enjoy their visit during gatherings or fun events, but accidents and injuries can make that much more difficult. If you regularly host friends, family members, or neighbors in your home, consider having Personal Umbrella Liability Insurance in place to protect your family if disaster strikes. Contact Aegis Insurance & Financial Services today at 713-850-7622 to learn more, or fill out our online form to request a free quote!