View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2011/12/15/227708.htm
Many people are planning year-end holiday festivities. But a report says there are many dangers lurking at these events. And people aren’t paying enough attention.
A MetLife Auto & Home American Safety Pulse Poll says only about a third of potential hosts are concerned about common safety issues. The poll shows many potential hosts are failing to take precautionary steps to prevent unnecessary accidents.
Only about 40 percent are concerned about whether their guests might get involved in a drunk-driving-related accident after consuming alcohol on their property. The majority are not concerned about the potential to be named in a lawsuit should a guest get involved in a drinking-and-driving accident.
Most states offer an injured person, such as the victim of a drunk driver, a method to sue the person who served the alcohol.
The poll also found that two-third of those surveyed weren’t concerned about the potential theft of personal items at the party, despite the fact that in addition to inviting family (86 percent) and close friends (74 percent) to their homes, many people planned on inviting guests they are less familiar with, including neighbors (44 percent), co-workers (31 percent) and casual acquaintances (26 percent). The majority of party hosts (59 percent) said they would not restrict the party to a designated space, meaning the guests would be free to roam around the premise.
More than 60 percent of the party hosts said they have no plan to move or hide their valuables during their festivities.
The poll also noted that many people are planning to leave their homes for an extended period during this holiday season. But one in five travelers said they weren’t concerned about locking all doors and windows, the MetLife poll found. Some 40 percent have no plan to set lights on a timer system or leave lights on while they are away.