Halloween is a fun time for both kids and adults. Even just the days leading up to the Halloween can be hectic with events, people out and about and those ready to celebrate. But, with the excitement this time of year can bring, there are also extra safety issues for you to consider when it comes to protecting your home, yard and family from the tricks that come along with the treats.
Lighting
This piece of advice may be no different than everyday home safety best practices, but it is particularly important during this time of the year. Between kids approaching your home for trick or treating, and the possibility of tricksters or vandals trying to get access to your home or yard, it’s a good idea to make sure that the front of your home is adequately illuminated.
If you already have sensors in place, make sure they are working properly in the days leading up to Halloween. If you don’t, it may be smart, at least for the days surrounding the Halloween, to leave a porch or garage light on at all times. Keeping your yard awash in light will not only deter teenagers with toilet paper, but it will also help trick or treaters make their way safely up to your house.
Put Your Car in the Garage
Don’t tempt fate. If you don’t normally put your car in the garage, this might be a good time to clear a spot. Cars are a typically vandalized item, and while they are working on your car, they might be tempted to work up to the house. Protect your car, and other valuables like bikes, tools, and lawn furniture, by putting them away.
Bring in the Pumpkins
The same idea surrounding the car applies to your Halloween decorations as well. If you want to protect the carefully carved masterpieces your kids spent hours perfecting, you should probably bring them as close to the house as possible at night (maybe even inside). Don’t tempt the vandals by leaving them down by the sidewalk or in the dim light.
Confine Your Pet
With crowds of new and unfamiliar people approaching your house, it’s best to make sure your pet is safely confined to a certain area of your home. This is for the safety of others and your pet, as some kids get mean or overexcited toward animals during this time of year. And definitely make sure to bring them in at night.
Neighborhood Watch
If you’re worried about vandals in your neighborhood, your neighbors probably are as well. Enlist their help in keeping your neighborhood safe by putting together a group that can keep an eye on things the night before and the night of Halloween. Assign times and parts of town to different people and simply walk around and be seen. The site of adults strolling around town may be enough to deter vandals.