Happy Halloween! Top 7 Safety Tips For Homeowners Taking The Scare Out of All Hallow’s Eve

There’s perhaps nothing more adorable for homeowners than all those cute little kiddos out trick-or-treating on Halloween. There are also many ghoulish, creepy decorations, haunted houses and corn mazes to explore. While harmless pranks are often a part of celebrating All Hallow’s Eve, scary statistics share a significant spike in crime on this holiday. In some locations like Boston for example, local police report 50% more crimes are committed in this city compared to any other day (or night) of the year.

In this light, homeowners should be particularly wary to curb any potential losses in advance, especially on this particular red-letter date. For example, although getting our homes all decked out for the holidays is a fun and festive way to join in on all the fun, more of this home decor is being stolen annually. Instead of citing just one example, try performing an online search for “stolen Halloween decorations” and you may be frightened by the results.

Before tragedy strikes your home and family this Halloween, consider these top seven tips and “tricks” to keep your home, property, and family safe this year and for many years in the future.

1. Decorating Dilemmas

We’re not saying don’t decorate for the holidays, but consider keeping these items down to a dull roar especially outside and put them in locations where they’re less problematic and inviting for people to pilfer. Instead of placing lights and decorations outside on doorways and windows, perform these temporary installations inside of these areas as an alternative.

2. Lighting Up The Night

When decorating, think about replacing a dark and gloomy experience with a more well-lit exterior environment. Carefully placed spotlights and even strobe lights will brighten up your yard. This will cause creepy goblins that are up to no good to think twice about traipsing around on your property with frightful intentions in mind when everyone in the neighborhood will see them.

3. Paving The Way

Third time’s a charm on the lighting subject and if you’re a big fan of staying home waiting for trick-or-treaters to arrive, be sure to prepare for their appearance in advance. After leaving the light on for them, make the pathway to your front door as visible and crystal clear as possible including removing any obstacles and insuring decorations aren’t in their way as they approach the entrance to your domicile.

4. Driving Dilemmas and DUI’s

Another crime that takes a scary statistical rise on this holiday is DUI arrests, accidents, injuries, arrests and unfortunately untimely deaths on this date. This has prompted many parents to find safer alternatives for trick-or-treating and it’s recommended people shouldn’t drive after dark on this night, place exterior valuables inside and park vehicles garages overnight on the night of October 31st.

5. Disguising Your Home

If you must venture out on Halloween, be sure to give your house the illusion that someone is still occupying the house. “Treat” this night the same way you would if you were on vacation including:

• Ensuring there are no newspapers or mail laying around outdoors
• Keep a porch light and on or motion light detectors along with at least one interior lighting fixture on during your absence
• Ask a friend, neighbor or family member to keep an eye on your residence

6. Protecting Pets

Along with the 4th of July, the out-of-the-ordinary sights and sounds of this holiday can be a real stressor on our pets. Keep them indoors and as calm as possible so they don’t injure themselves or potentially damage property when frightened or upset.

7. Adding More Security

If you don’t already have a security system in place or cameras monitoring your property, especially covering your front door, consider one of the many options available that are becoming more affordable as technology continues to evolve.

BONUS: Although it almost goes without saying, be mindful of candles inside jack-o-lanterns and other open flames common on this day. Don’t leave them unattended, be sure to extinguish them neatly, sweetly and ever so sweetly before retiring for the evening for obvious fire-related reasons.

To protect yourself from these types of often preventable types of damages, please feel free to contact us today. We’re not just here to sell you insurance but to offer you many ways to keep your home, family and pets safe from potential peril. In conclusion, here’s wishing you and yours a very Happy Halloween!