Thinking of Tricking Porch Pirates? Be Careful 

Most of us have seen the videos. A man or a woman tiptoes up to a porch with a package on it then grab it and run. Before they can get into their car — or shortly after getting in one — the package explodes with a mixture of paint and confetti.

Outside of the parents, partner or a good friend screaming obscenities toward the homeowners’ porch camera, most of us support the punishment meted out to the would-be thief.

Unfortunately, they are probably not legal. Many states and cities have laws that say any device planted in order to cause harm is not legal. While most of those getting bombed by the package aren’t injured, they can — and probably often do — claim they have been injured. 

Laws value property but laws also put the safety of individuals over property. If a package with glitter inside explodes and the thief’s eyes are damaged from the glitter, the person planting the package is liable. 

A homeowners is liable if the person stealing the package has an allergic reaction to glue or any substance in the package. 

As insurance people, most of you know if a person is injured on your property while stealing something from your porch, you are liable. If the explosion causes the thief to have a heart attack or if they lose their hearing, liability rests on the homeowner. 

Source link: Rapid International — https://www.therapidway.com/2025/04/29/how-legal-are-porch-pirate-traps/