In about a month, you’re going to have excited little ghostly visitors coming up to your door. It’s that time of year again for Halloween! Most of these children, and their parents, have never been to your home before. It’s the responsibility of every homeowner who is participating in this annual tradition, to make sure their home is safe and secure for their visitors. Here’s a list of tips to help you make Halloween as safe as it can be.
- Clear Walkways and Shortcuts – Whether you are handing out candy from the front door or inside the garage, make sure that your walkway is free of clutter. Many young children are in a hurry to get from house to house, and will run through your yard. A child in a hurry, especially those wearing a mask, are not always looking at where they’re going. Also make sure that your railings, leading to your door or on your porch, are secure.
- Use Plenty of Lights – We all know that part of the fun of Halloween is creating a spooky environment. Since you don’t always know the age of your trick-or-treaters, it’s best to keep the lights on. Not only will this let people know that you’re participating in the candy-giving, but it will create the safest environment for them. Because of the fire risk, we also recommend not using candles as props.
- Keep Your Pets Indoors and Confined – Just because your dog doesn’t bite, doesn’t mean he won’t jump up to play with a small child, knocking them to the ground. If trick-or-treaters are constantly knocking or ringing the doorbell, your pets are certain to be excited and acting out of their normal behavior.
