Orlando, Fla.—Given the particular conditions for our commercial establishments in Florida, which is in Phase 3 of re-opening after the Covid-19 pandemic closings for non-essential businesses—following the safety protocols recommended by the CDC is more important than ever. During Halloween there are many other situations that may arise at your commercial property and you might to keep an eye on. Halloween is great fun for kids, we all know it, but sadly it can be an extremely expensive time for business owners. Warehouses, construction sites, yards, and unoccupied premises are particularly vulnerable.
Check your commercial property policy and make sure that you fully understand what coverage you have. It might be worth checking with your insurer whether your commercial premises, equipment and other contents are covered for vandalism.
Getting the right coverage beforehand will give you peace of mind, so you can enjoy Halloween without being spooked.
Here are some tips on what to consider
1. Keep the perimeter well lit: Falls are the huge cause of injury on Halloween. Keeping lights on overnight will prevent accidents and deter vandals. Installing motion sensor floodlights will accomplish the same goals while conserving energy.
2. Limit access to the property: Unless the business is staying open and passing out treats, keep all entryways locked and be certain to secure windows. Also, you may want to create a creepy atmosphere in-line with the celebration, but make sure that visibility inside your premises is good. Make sure to control who holds keys.
3. Review your current security plan: Test alarms regularly and review your entire security system at least once a year.
4. Train employees to watch for unusual behavior: Criminals tend to lurk or investigate an area before committing a crime. Teach your employees to watch out for suspicious activity and have a proactive plan to deal with these individuals.
5. Celebrate safely: If your business is hosting a Halloween (Covid-19 safe) event, ensure that your fire protection system is effective and operating properly. Costumes and alcohol consumption, although not recommended during this pandemic period, it is good to know they can also lead to an increase of fire hazards. Be certain that fire escapes are clearly marked, fire extinguishers are in the proper places, and do not hang any decorations from ceiling smoke detectors or sprinklers. When in doubt, contact your local fire station to request a review of your property.
6. Remind renters of property rules: Send out a notice reminding them of set trick or treating hours. Be clear about any curfews in place, and if you have any decoration rules, be sure to issue a reminder about that too.
Halloween should be fun, and a safe celebration to enjoy with family and friends. The last thing you want is a phone ring from law enforcement telling you there was a problem at your business location.
At Garzor Insurance, now with two locations, one in Orlando and another at Florida’s Space Coast, our experienced professionals are dedicated to providing commercial insurance coverage for businesses in Florida as well as Georgia, Texas, and now many other states across the U.S.A. If you have questions about business insurance, or any other commercial insurance aspects, please do not hesitate to visit us online, or you may want to call us directly at (321) 206-8035 to schedule a personal appointment.
Yaralyn Diaz, CSR
Commercial Lines CSR
