What are the best Halloween safety tips for homeowners? We’ve compiled our top 10 ways to help keep your home safe, as well as all the little ghosts and goblins who come knocking on your door on the spookiest night of the year.
1. Avoid being home alone.
If possible, have someone with you on Halloween night. Whether they’re there to help greet trick-or-treaters or to help you host a Halloween get-together, another person in your home makes you less likely to be the target of pranksters or intruders. There is safety in numbers—especially on a night when you’ll be consistently opening your door to strangers. And while we all want to enjoy the clever costumes, try not to linger in the doorway. Hand out treats quickly to avoid giving an unnecessary glimpse at your floor plan and valuables.
2. Keep your home and property well lit.
While it can be tempting to create a dark and spooky atmosphere for the holiday, a well-lit home and yard will make Halloween safer for both you and your visitors. Lighting deters burglars by giving them fewer places to hide. It also helps trick-or-treaters clearly navigate walkways and porch steps. Before the big night, check lighting around your home and replace any dim or burned-out bulbs.
3. Park your car in the garage.
Halloween night is peak time for vandals and pranksters. Park your car in the garage to avoid any damage from troublemakers. Your empty driveway will also ensure that as children run from door to door, they will be more visible to drivers, and drivers will be more visible to them.
4. Keep pets in another room.
Your pet might enjoy helping you greet trick-or-treaters, but some children can be frightened by animals, and some costumes might frighten your otherwise well-behaved pet. Keeping furry friends out of sight will reduce stress for them and for visitors and will help prevent critters from darting out the front door and getting loose.
5. Lock the front door between visits.
When you know that you’ll be answering your front door frequently, it might seem more convenient to just leave your door unlocked. But don’t let your guard down! Keep your front door locked to keep intruders from walking into your home.
6. Use LED lights instead of candles.
Light jack-o-lanterns with LEDs instead of candles. This eliminates fire hazards such as decorations, costumes, or even your home catching fire, should someone accidentally (or intentionally) knock over a porch pumpkin.
7. Tighten railings and make porch steps slip-proof.
On Halloween night, you might have several visitors coming to your door. Be sure the journey to your front porch is as safe as possible by repairing any loose railings. You might also consider applying outdoor non-slip stair treads to your porch steps in case it rains or snows.
8. Keep all walkways clear.
Be sure to sweep leaves and other debris from your walkways to reduce the risk of slipping or tripping. Likewise, keep your sidewalk a clutter-free zone by putting away any tools or toys and placing decorations off to the side.
9. Install a doorbell camera.
Video doorbell cameras allow you to see who is at your door before you ever open it by using an app on your smartphone. As part of its customized home security packages, Cove offers a weatherproof doorbell camera that can be powered by battery or with your home’s doorbell wiring. Whether you currently have a doorbell or not, this doorbell camera is perfect for your needs.
10. Alarm your home security system before going to bed.
Even when you’re ready to call it a night, many others won’t be. Don’t forget to alarm your home security system before going to bed so you can rest easy knowing that you and your loved ones are protected against burglars and Halloween mischief-makers. Whether you currently have a home security system or not, we would love to help you to customize the perfect professionally monitored home security system for your home. With 24/7 customer service, easy DIY installation, and a 60-day risk-free trial, you’ll love our effective and affordable protection. Get protected today!
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