How to Mitigate Risks and Provide Thrills All Season Long
For amusement parks, haunted houses, and other entertainment venues, the Halloween season is a time of heightened activity and excitement. But it is also a time when these businesses face unique safety challenges.
From liability claims to property damage, there are several risks amusement and entertainment businesses need to be aware of to stay ahead of the curve and protect their guests.
Discover the top four trends for 2023 to help your amusement park, haunted house, or family entertainment center balance spooky and safety this Halloween.
- Pull the plug on guest videos going viral
TikTok and Instagram Reels are known for short, creative videos. Haunted houses and amusement parks with spooky themes are an impressive setting for these videos because they are inherently suspenseful and get people’s attention.
However, there are also risks associated with filming in amusement parks and haunted houses:
- If guests are too focused on filming their video, they may not be paying attention to their surroundings. This could lead to them bumping into things, falling over or getting lost in the haunted house.
- Guests blocking the path with their camera may prevent other guests from enjoying the haunted house, which could cause an accident, as people may not see where they are going and could bump into each other.
- Guests who are trying to do something dangerous for their video, such as climbing on props or running through the haunted house, could put themselves or others at risk.
- Haunted house actors are trained to scare people, but they may not be prepared for someone to do something unexpected. This could lead to an accident, such as an actor or guest getting injured or property damage.
Many owners and operators request guests to not film, and ask them to leave if they are caught doing so. Some haunted houses ask guests to obtain permission to film or use footage they shoot.
Read More: 2024 Amusement and Carnival Industry Trends
- Allow guests to dress up for a more immersive experience
Halloween experiences are immersive, and dressing up as part of the cast can help guests get into the spirit of things. Plus, it can also make the experience more fun and exciting for everyone involved.
Though dressing adds to the thrill of visiting an amusement park or haunted house, it can still be hazardous:
- Guests wearing a bulky costume could impede an actor, ruin their scare or obstruct other guests from moving freely through the park or haunted house. They are also more likely to trip and fall, which can be extremely dangerous in a dark or crowded area.
- Costume props designed to scare people can be sharp, heavy or otherwise dangerous. If a guest is not careful, they could injure themselves or someone else with these props.
- Dark-colored costumes or ones that obscure the wearer’s vision can pose a visibility hazard. This can increase the risk of accidents, such as bumping into objects or people.
- Costumes made of flammable materials, such as polyester or nylon, can pose a fire hazard. This is especially true if the costume is near an open flame or if it comes into contact with a heat source.
Some haunted houses and amusement parks ask guests not to dress up at all, while others only allow certain costume pieces.
However, a great way to mitigate the risks associated with guests dressing up as part of the cast is to only allow guests to wear costumes purchased from the gift shop. This ensures all costumes are appropriate for the environment, and they do not pose any safety hazards.
- Continue to implement COVID-19 mitigation for haunted houses
Haunted houses are typically indoor spaces, which are more conducive to the spread of COVID-19 than outdoor spaces. This is because the virus can linger in the air for longer periods of time indoors.
If a COVID-19 outbreak is linked back to a haunted house, the haunted house could be sued by guests who were infected with the virus.
Here are a few ways haunted house owners and operators are taking steps to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission, and ensure their guests can have a safe and enjoyable experience:
- Virtual queuing systems allow customers to reserve their place in line online or through a mobile app, which helps reduce crowding and contact between people.
- Enhanced cleaning procedures, including cleaning and disinfecting props, surfaces and other areas of the haunted house more frequently to remove any virus particles that may be present.
- Contactless payments help to decrease the spread of germs and reduce lines.
- Limiting the number of guests allowed in the haunted house at one time can help reduce crowding and the risk of transmission.
- Simple health screenings for guests, such as temperature checks or symptom questionnaires when they purchase their tickets to identify guests who may be infected with COVID-19, and prevent them from entering the haunted house.
Haunted houses should be also transparent with guests about their COVID-19 prevention measures. This can help mitigate risks and reduce the chance of guests filing liability claims.
Read More: Haunted House Safety: What to Consider and How to Mitigate the Risks
- Get the right insurance coverage
Haunted houses, amusement parks and family entertainment centers (FECs) are a popular attraction during the Halloween season, but they also come with a unique set of risks. That is why it is so important to have the right specialty insurance.
Here a few reasons to talk to your amusement and entertainment insurance provider about customizing your policy for the 2024 Halloween season:
Liability claims. Guests can be injured in several ways, such as tripping and falling, being scared into a heart attack, or being attacked by an actor.
Property damage. Props and scenery can be damaged or destroyed. Having the right specialty insurance can help cover the costs of repairs and replacements.
Business interruption. Haunted houses, amusement parks, and FECs can be forced to close because of several reasons, such as a fire, a natural disaster, or a COVID-19 outbreak. Specialty insurance can help cover the costs of lost revenue and expenses during a closure.
Workers’ compensation. Haunted houses, amusement parks and FECs must provide workers’ compensation benefits to employees who are injured on the job. Specialty insurance can help to cover the costs of these benefits.
Special event insurance. Special event insurance can help protect haunted houses and amusement parks from financial losses if an event is canceled because of unforeseen circumstances, like inclement weather or public safety concerns. It can cover the costs of refunds, lost revenue and other expenses associated with event cancellation.
Protecting Chills and Thrills for More Than 40 Years
Whether you own a large amusement park, a small haunted house or something in between, McGowan Allied Specialty Insurance can help you protect your business with a customized insurance policy.
Our experts have years of experience in the entertainment industry and can help you find the right coverage for your specific needs. We offer a wide range of insurance products, including general liability insurance, property insurance, and business interruption insurance.
Contact us online or call us at 727-547-3023 to learn more about our insurance solutions and receive a personalized quote.
