8 Tips to Make Your Home Safer this Halloween
It won’t be long before they come knocking on the door in search of candy. So now is the time to make your home safe for trick-or-treaters. We’ve gathered eight ideas to get you started.
- Secure the railings
Little kids (and the parents who accompany them) will likely lean on railings while climbing steps to get to your front door. One loose railing could lead to one big claim against you. Now is the time to check your railings and ensure they are safe.
- Keep your walkways clear
Check your yard for potential trip and slip hazards like hoses, sprinklers, and loose gravel. If your steps are mossy or covered in wet leaves, clean them off. You don’t want a child getting hurt on your walkway, stairs or front porch.
- Think carefully before using candles
A glowing jack-o’-lantern looks great on Halloween but using a candle in your pumpkin can be dangerous. Children’s costumes, decorations and ornamental hay or straw can easily catch on fire. Consider instead, using a small battery-powered artificial candle.
- Watch out for food allergies
This seems like a real downer, but there are children with peanut allergies. Make sure that the candy you pass out isn’t a risk for a child. Be aware, that even if the candy you hand out doesn’t specifically contain peanuts, it could be made in a facility that processes peanuts. Check the candy bag’s label for a peanut allergy warning. Better safe than sorry.
- Light up the house
While dark, scary lighting helps set the mood on Halloween, it also increases the chance of an accident. Make sure all your exterior lights are working.
- Keep your dog(s) inside
Your dog(s) may not know how to respond to an evening full of doorbell rings, and a steady parade of people coming to the door dressed in different (and threatening?) ways. Dogs that get out may or may not bite, but could knock over little children or chase scared children into traffic. Keep your pets safe inside an interior room in your home on Halloween.
- Park in the garage
If you have a garage, make sure your car is in it on Halloween. Any vehicles left out on Halloween become vandalism targets for roving teenagers.
- Use caution when opening the door
Most of the trick-or-treaters will just be little children seeking a treat. But you must still be cautious and be careful when opening the door so you don’t become a victim. As the flow of trick-or-treaters begins to drop off, it’s OK to just stop opening the door for the night. The later the knock on your door, the more likely trouble is waiting on the other side of it.
Halloween is supposed to be a scary holiday, but that doesn’t mean it should be dangerous for you or the visitors to your home.
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