Halloween can be a great time of year to deck out your house in spooky spectacle. Whether you like to decorate the outside of your home with Jack-O-Lanterns, strings of orange lights, or tombstones, make sure to keep the little trick-or-treaters in mind, too. Remember, when you help keep your neighborhood safe, you also potentially increase the value of your home.
Small steps can go a long way in making your home a safe place for trick-or-treaters. Try to put yourself in a kid’s shoes and make it easy for them to get to your door. Here are some ways to get ready for trick-or-treaters:
Light the Way
While dark, ambient lighting may be spooky, you don’t want the pathway to your home to be too dark. Light your pathways with flameless lanterns, LED lights, or Jack-O-Lanterns, so trick-or-treaters won’t trip or get disoriented. It’s also a good idea to leave your porch light on, signaling to trick-or-treaters that you’re home and ready to give out candy.
Clear a Path
Putting up decorations can set a spooky Halloween scene, but make sure to have a clear path. If you decide to put up lawn decorations, you may want to put lighted ropes around your lawn’s perimeter, so children don’t trip or knock anything over. You should also make sure to rake up any leaves in the walkway and sweep up any dirt, so kids can see a clear path to your door.
Avoid Candles
Even though traditional Jack-O-Lanterns were made with candles or tea lights, they can be a fire hazard. All it takes is one kid to accidentally kick over a pumpkin and you’ve got all kinds of problems on your hands. Instead, go with flameless candles, battery operated lights, or LED lights. That way, you’ll have one less thing to worry about.
Don’t Overload Outlets
If you decide to put up strings of lights or use any electronics that need to be plugged in, be careful not to overload your electrical outlets. Use surge protectors and avoid plugging in too many decorations at once, or you might blow a fuse. Make sure any cords are far away from the trick-or-treaters’ pathway, so little feet don’t trip. Consider getting LED lights to cut down on the amount of electricity and cords you use.
Protect Pets
With the doorbell ringing and kids knocking on the door all night, Halloween can be a disorienting time for pets, especially dogs. Make sure to put your pets in a safe, gated area with food and water, away from the trick-or-treaters. You’ll keep both your pets and your trick-or-treaters safe and sound.
Halloween is a great time of year to get to know your neighbors and community. Be a good neighbor take a few simple steps to make your home a safe and inviting place for trick-or-treaters to visit!
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