Halloween festivities involving costumes, parties, and candy can be exciting for the whole family. While opening homes up to guests and trick-or-treaters is a fun tradition, it’s important to practice proper safety measures to keep your home protected on Halloween night. Follow some of our Halloween home safety tips to avoid a possible loss while keeping the spooky spirit alive.
Safely Decorate Outside
Decorating is part of the Halloween fun, but it’s important to do it safely to prevent accidents. All outdoor lighting should be grounded, and decorations placed securely in your yard. Be sure to safely manage your plugged-in items around your home to avoid overloading electrical outlets. Refrain from using highly combustible decorations like dried flowers, crêpe paper and inflatable decorations, as well as keeping items away from open flames and heat sources. Use light alternatives like LED candles or glow sticks for your jack-o-lanterns to avoid possible fire hazards.
Clear & Clean Walkways
Keep walkways clear by cleaning any debris or obstructions and avoid placing decorations or wires along paths which could lead to a tripping hazard. Take some time to repair any broken stones, handrails, or sprinklers around walkways which can help prevent any liabilities. Safely light your walkway and porch to help guide trick-or-treaters around your property.
Keep Pets Inside
Pets can become overwhelmed by the amount of activity happening around the home on Halloween night. Consider keeping your pets away from the door by placing them in their kennel or in another room of the house so they don’t sneak out as you open the door to trick-or-treaters; and while your pet may be friendly, some children can be frightened by your furry friend hanging around the door. When trick-or-treating with your family, consider keeping your pets at home and indoors to avoid putting them through unnecessary stress from encountering strangers in costumes and spotting bitable decorations.
Have Proper Home Security
With a flurry of strangers coming to your door, it’s important to be welcoming while keeping proper security measures in place to keep your family and home safe. Consider installing security cameras around your perimeter or a doorbell camera to keep an eye on your home while you’re passing out candy or out at a Halloween party. If you’re staying at home, make sure to lock your front door after each visit from trick-or-treaters and keep a watchful eye out for possible tricksters in your neighborhood.
Take Photos of Your Property for Insurance Purposes
Before the night of spooks and fun begins, be sure to take pictures or videos of your property. Should a loss occur, you’ll be ready with an updated home inventory to help, should you need to file a claim, making the whole process a little less frightening.
Keeping your family and home safe and protected is Florida Peninsula Insurance Company’s top priority. For more information, or to get a quote, please call 877-229-2244.
