Balancing Safety vs. Spooky in a Haunted House
Get ready, ghouls and ghosts, because the spookiest season of the year is just around the corner—Halloween! From pumpkin carving to trick-or-treating, it is a time when long-standing traditions come to life with a delightful dash of fright.
However, amidst all the fun lurks a few hidden dangers, especially with the spine-chilling spectacles of haunted houses.
Armed with these insights from our experts at McGowan Allied Specialty Insurance, you can turn these sinister scenarios into a spooktacular experience that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats while also ensuring their safety.
8 Factors that Impact Haunted House Safety
Haunted houses are a popular attraction during the Halloween season, but they also come with challenges. If you’re not careful, these challenges could lead to problems for your business and your guests.
Here are 8 ways your Haunted House is at risk:
- Slip and fall hazards
Cluttered walkways, loose rugs and mats, wet floors, and uneven flooring are just a few reasons someone would receive an injury from a slip or fall in a haunted house.
Visitors should be warned about any potential slip and fall hazards that can not be immediately removed by posting signs or giving verbal warnings.
- Overwhelmed visitors
While getting scared is part of the experience at a haunted house, some people may become too scared and react in ways that could lead to injury. For example, they might trip or fall, react with aggression, or have a panic attack.
To help reduce the risk of injuries, haunted house operators should provide a safe place for people to exit if they feel too scared and train staff members on how to handle guests who are overwhelmed.
Also read: Slip, Trip, and Fall Claims
- Overcrowding
Haunted houses draw sizable crowds, with many people in attendance at once. Enormous crowds and elevated endorphins can lead to panic in an emergency, making it difficult to evacuate safely.
It is essential to have a clear evacuation plan and make sure each staff member is familiar with it. Be sure to install fire alarms and sprinklers throughout your haunted house, and keep emergency exits clear and well-lit.
- Exposed nails
Exposed nails and other protrusions can cause serious injuries, including cuts, bruises, puncture wounds and falls. In a haunted house, where there may be flammable materials present, these hazards can also lead to fire.
Haunted house operators should inspect their premises regularly to cover or remove any exposed nails or protrusions.
- Collision hazards
Visitors to haunted houses are often in dark, confined areas with limited visibility. This can make it difficult to see where they are going, which can lead to collisions with other guests, walls and props.
They are also focused on the thrills and less aware of their surroundings, which increases the risk of collisions. Signs should be posted to warn visitors about potential hazards, such as narrow passages or low ceilings.
- Falling objects
Falling objects can be a hazard in a dark haunted house. Visitors may not see them, which could increase the risk of injury.
Haunted house operators should regularly identify and secure any potential falling objects. They should also use lightweight props, avoid sharp objects, and warn visitors about any potential hazards by posting signs or using verbal warnings.
- Flashing lights
Flashing lights make it difficult for visitors to see where they are going, which increases the risk of falls and collisions. They can also make it difficult for visitors to find their way out of a haunted house in case of an emergency.
Flashing lights should be used for short periods of time, and guests with photosensitive epilepsy should be warned about the use of flashing lights in the haunted house.
- Ride-related injuries
Halloween events at amusement parks often require operators to modify rides to fit seasonal themes. This may cause confusion for riders who frequent the park and increase the risk of accidents.
Mechanical failures can also occur on rides, which can be very dangerous. Operators should regularly inspect all rides and effects to avoid malfunctions, and ride operators should receive special training on how to handle the unique challenges posed by these seasonal events.
Also read: Specialty Insurance Basics for the Amusement Industry
4 Ways to Protect Your Guests, Ghouls and Haunted House
Discover simple yet effective ways to safeguard your haunted house business and keep the scares coming night after night. These four strategies will help you mitigate risks, protect your guests and ensure a hauntingly good time for everyone.
- Waivers
By signing the waiver, guests agree to assume the risk of injury or other harm that may occur during their visit. This can help to protect the haunted house from legal liability if a guest is injured.
The waiver should clearly state the risks involved in visiting a haunted house, such as the possibility of being touched, startled, or scared. This can help to ensure that guests are aware of the risks before they enter the haunted house.
It is important to note that waivers are not always legally enforceable. However, they can be a valuable tool for haunted houses to protect themselves from liability. Have a lawyer review the waiver before it is used. This can help to ensure that the waiver is legally enforceable.
- Train your staff
Haunted houses often rely on part-time staff with little experience in emergencies or safety training. This can be a risk, especially in a high-energy environment where people may lose focus.
To mitigate this risk, it is important to hire the right staff members and train them thoroughly. This includes training on how to respond to emergencies, how to deal with inappropriate behavior and the importance of safety.
Also read: Best Practices for Event Volunteer Management and Mitigating Risks
- Create a safety plan
Planning is essential for a successful haunted house event, and many areas require haunted houses to have a public safety plan on file before they can operate.
Guest safety is paramount in a haunted house. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, it is important to have clear and easy-to-follow emergency routes, readily available contact information for local authorities, and documentation that outlines everyone’s responsibilities in an emergency.
The plan should be communicated to all staff members and regularly reviewed and updated as needed.
- Get insurance to mitigate risks
Amusement and entertainment insurance provides crucial protection for both you and your guests. By offering coverage for liability claims, it ensures financial security in case a guest gets injured on your property.
A flexible insurance policy also protects your bottom line by providing coverage for unexpected expenses, which can help you avoid financial hardship if your business is ever faced with a major loss.
Keep in mind that not all insurance companies are created equal. It is important to choose an insurance company that offers the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
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Also read: Best Practices for Event Volunteer Management and Mitigating Risks
Premier Protection for Your Haunted House Provided by McGowan Allied Specialty Insurance
With over 40 years of experience in the amusement and entertainment industry, our will experts conjure up the perfect policy tailored to your needs. Contact us online or call us at 727-547-3023 to receive a personalized quote and discuss your spooky requirements with our team of experts.
- Create a safety plan
Planning is essential for a successful haunted house event, and many areas require haunted houses to have a public safety plan on file before they can operate.
Guest safety is paramount in a haunted house. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, it is important to have clear and easy-to-follow emergency routes, readily available contact information for local authorities, and documentation that outlines everyone’s responsibilities in an emergency.
The plan should be communicated to all staff members and regularly reviewed and updated as needed.
- Get insurance to mitigate risks
Amusement and entertainment insurance provides crucial protection for both you and your guests. By offering coverage for liability claims, it ensures financial security in case a guest gets injured on your property.
A flexible insurance policy also protects your bottom line by providing coverage for unexpected expenses, which can help you avoid financial hardship if your business is ever faced with a major loss.
Keep in mind that not all insurance companies are created equal. It is important to choose an insurance company that offers the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
Also read: Best Practices for Event Volunteer Management and Mitigating Risks
Premier Protection for Your Haunted House Provided by McGowan Allied Specialty Insurance
With over 40 years of experience in the amusement and entertainment industry, our will experts conjure up the perfect policy tailored to your needs. Contact us online or call us at 727-547-3023 to receive a personalized quote and discuss your spooky requirements with our team of experts.
