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A little bit of mischief and mayhem on Halloween night is to be expected, but there are a host of serious Halloween hazards to be aware of to ensure your holiday is more treat than trick.

In order to keep your Halloween insurance claim-free, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) offers the following tips:

• Cars should be parked in well-lit areas or inside of a garage. You should also ensure all vehicles are locked and any alarms are engaged.
• Drive slowly through neighborhoods where people are trick-or-treating, and watch for children who may be crossing the street or walking between cars.
• If you're receiving trick-or-treaters or other guests, make sure your Halloween décor is away from walkways and paths and that these areas are well-lit to avoid falls.
• If you're taking children trick-or-treating, travel in groups, wear costumes that are easily visible and carry flashlights. You should also make sure children can see properly out of their costumes.
• Keep an eye on pets when trick-or-treaters arrive, and don't allow aggressive dogs to rush the door.
• Don't leave candles burning in your jack-o-lanterns (or anywhere else) unattended or overnight, or where they can be knocked over by kids. The safest solution to lighting your spooky set-up is to use battery-operated candles.

In the slideshow above, we'll look at four Halloween mishaps that your homeowners policy will likely provide protection for, but that are easy to prevent with a little bit of preparation and planning.