Children’s Birthday Parties and Possible Homeowners Insurance Claims

If you’re gearing up to host a birthday party for your child, there are many preparations that may be at the forefront of your mind. Most people do not even think about the possibility of someone being hurt on their property and what that can mean. Hosting a child’s birthday party at your home can open you to liability if one of your guests is harmed. As the property owner, you can be sued and held liable for medical bills and any other damage that might take place at the party. Here are some of the common ways that party guests can get hurt, and how you as the homeowner can take steps to prevent these things from happening.

DOG BITES

Pets can easily become overwhelmed at a children’s birthday party, where the noise level is high and excited kids may want to pet them too much. To prevent any issues from arising during the party, the easiest thing to do is to keep your dog in a secured location, like a room in the home or a crate. If you prefer, you can send them to a spa for the day or visit with a friend while the party is happening.

POOL, TRAMPOLINE OR BOUNCE HOUSE INJURY

For homeowners who have a pool, trampoline, or will be renting a bounce house for the party, the risk is a little bit higher. Children can easily become injured on a wet pool deck or while bouncing in a bounce house. Here are some steps you can take to keep these activities secure and injury free:

• Ensure that each child at the party has a parent or guardian who will be staying during the party to supervise them.
• Ask which children can swim and provide floatation devices for those who cant.
• Rent the bounce house from a reputable company and check that it is secured before children are allowed inside.
• Restrict the number of children allowed on the trampoline or in the bounce house at one time.

FOOD ALLERGIES

If some of your party guests are allergic to common food ingredients, such as dairy, gluten or nuts, tasting the wrong treats can result in a trip to the hospital. Since you served the food in question, you can be held responsible for the ensuing hospital bill. To avoid any issues with food allergies, keep these guidelines in mind:

• Ask guests when they RSVP if they have allergies or dietary preferences.
• Offer many options to ensure everyone has something to eat. Cold options, like fruits, vegetables, and cold cuts, are often a good choice for those with food allergies.
• If you are preparing the food for guests at home, take steps to avoid cross-contamination of any ingredients that cause allergic reactions. Wash knives and utensils, and store food properly once it is cooked.

If you do have a homeowners insurance claim as a result of something that happened at a birthday party, Five Star Claims Adjusting can help. Contact us to help you file the paperwork and get your claim approved- fast!