Halloween can be one of the most magical nights of the year, especially for your children. They have the chance to become one of their favorite creatures or movie characters and hunt all over the neighborhood for candy. But while the kids are out trick-or-treating someone has to stay home and hand out seasonal treats. Below we are going to talk about a few simple home safety tips to keep you, your family and the trick-or-treaters who come knocking on your door safe this Halloween.
1) Ensure the Front of Your Home is Brightly Lit
Not only is a dim house unwelcoming, but it can also result in injury if the people walking up to your house can’t see obstructions in the yard. At the very least ensure the porch light is on, and for even more visibility don’t forget to turn on every exterior light you have to the brightest setting. Remember that even though trick-or-treaters are only on your property momentarily, you may still be liable for any injuries that occur on the property.
2) Clear Obstructions from Walkways and Steps
During the fall season, there are going to be a large number of leaves and other debris being swept across your yard, walkways, and front steps. In some areas, there may even be snow falling and ice forming on steps and other high traffic areas. Before it gets dark on Halloween night, ensure that all walkways are swept, and dead leaves are cleared away. Not that we have to worry about this in Florida; however, if there is the possibility of snow falling or ice forming over the course of the night be sure to throw some salt or snow melting substance on the ground to insure no one slips. Local Clearwater slip and fall lawyer Erik Abrahamson recommends always keeping your sidewalk, driveway, and front porch walking areas free of objects. You also want to make sure these areas well lit and be particularly cautious about unexpected changes of levels. Unexpected changes of level in walking areas is one of the largest causes of falls involving injuries.
3) Place Decorations Away from High Traffic Areas
While it may be tempting to place decorations in places where people will walk into them to illicit a scare, it also causes a safety issue. Someone may react unpredictably to being caught in decorations or being scared by one, and their subsequent reaction could cause injury or even damage to your property. To be on the safe side, be sure all decorations are placed away from high traffic areas and the walkways are well lit.
4) Use LED Lights Instead of Candles
There is always the risk of fire when a candle is left unattended, and that risk is only amplified on Halloween with the use of candles inside of jack-o-lanterns. To be safe and reduce risk try using fake LED candles instead of real ones. Not only will this completely negate the risk of fire, but most LED candles are also almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
5) Clear the Curb and Watch for Children on the Road
The sidewalk and subsequent curb outside of your home are just as important to clear as the front porch. Children are at a much higher risk of falling or being hit by a passing car on Halloween night than any other night of the year. If your home has light in the front yard close to the street be sure that it is on and the highest wattage of bulb usable is installed. It’s the responsibility of everyone in the neighborhood to ensure children are kept safe while trick-or-treating.No matter how large or small your Halloween to-do list might be this year, remember that The Handyman Company is here to help you with any routine or seasonal home maintenance tasks. Contact us, day or night, we are happy to help.
