When Butterballs Become Fireballs
Some Thanksgiving hosts do not want anybody else in the kitchen, while others may enjoy preparing the feast with family and friends around. Either way, keep your cooking space clear and safe to avoid the local firefighters dropping by for some burnt turkey! According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are three times as many home cooking fires on Thanksgiving compared to any other day of the year. The majority of these fires occur due to unattended cooking and distractions.
If you decide to forgo the oven and break out the gas-fueled turkey fryer, expect the danger to increase. According to the NFPA, these fryers are a fire hazard, causing an estimated five deaths and 60 injuries, destroying approximately 900 homes, and generating over $15 million in property damage, every single year.
When it comes to fires and homeowners' insurance, do you have enough Dwelling coverage (Coverage A) and Other Structures coverage (Coverage B) to match the full replacement cost of your home? Dwelling coverage protects your home and attached structures from damage or destruction, while Other Structures coverage does the same for your detached garage, sheds, and other unattached structures on your property. If you manage to burn down the house and detached garage with a turkey fryer, these coverages should help cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding.
If your turkey fire manages to injure a guest or neighbor, your liability coverage will help pay the medical bills. Carrying the proper amount of dwelling and liability coverage is an absolute necessity.
Toxic Turkey? Prep Food Safely for Happy Stomachs
Nobody wants to be the cook who sends family and friends home with a case of food poisoning. If you accidentally serve undercooked turkey and your guests get sick, you can be held liable. If your guests end up in the emergency room due to your holiday meal, your liability coverage will cover their medical expenses. This coverage applies to the costs associated with injuries sustained by guests, regardless of who is at fault. If a lawsuit occurs, your carrier will cover the costs of the litigation, and will also provide you with legal representation.
The liability portion of your policy does not just extend to food poisoning. Any guest hurt in your home can become a claim. Falls and dog bites can result in injuries or lawsuits. If you are not correctly insured, you will need to cover these costs out-of-pocket.
Too Much Wild Turkey?
Thanksgiving is already a dangerous time on the roads because millions and millions of people drive to their Thanksgiving celebrations. According to AAA, over 55 million people hit the roads for Thanksgiving, traveling 50 miles or more away from home. Unfortunately, not everyone’s trip will go as planned, and alcohol plays a significant role in road accidents on Thanksgiving compared to other days of the year.
If a guest hits the booze a bit too hard before hitting the road, you may be held liable as the host. For example, if you over-serve a visibly intoxicated guest and he negligently causes a car accident, you are responsible for any property damage or third-party injuries. However, if your intoxicated guest injures himself, you are not liable.
Most homeowners' insurance policies provide coverage in the event a claim is made that stems from over-serving a guest in your home. As with food poisoning claims, your insurance carrier will cover the costs, up to your policy limits.
Minimizing Your Risks
Nobody expects their Thanksgiving celebration to result in a call to the fire department, a trip to the emergency room, or a visit from a police officer; but, it does happen. Unless you have the proper homeowners’ insurance, Thanksgiving could end up costing much more than the price of a turkey and fixings. To keep the Thanksgiving celebration safe and reduce your liability exposure, it is a good idea to review your insurance coverage before thawing the turkey.
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