Halloween is a lot of fun for adults and kids, but
nothing ruins the ghoulish night like a trip to the emergency room or a
lawsuit.
This is also a good time to make sure your homeowner’s insurance is
current!
In that “spirit,” I thought I’d share 11 tips to help you balance
spooky and safe this year:
1. Survey all approaches to your home, beginning from
the property line. Keep an eye out for hazards, including loose bricks/stones,
or holes in the yard.
2. Resist using open flames inside or outside. Use
electric light effects, glow sticks, or electric candles instead.
3. Check your smoke alarms and make sure all exits to
the house are clear of clutter.
4. Before dark, check for exposed extension cords and
make sure cords avoid wet areas.
5. Determine how much darkness you really want. Lighted
pathways and porches are both inviting and safer for your guests.
6. Make sure children can see in their costumes!
Obstructed vision from masks can keep them from noticing cars, hazards, or other
excited kids.
7. Also make sure children can be seen by others. Glow
sticks are fun “high visibility” items, especially when costumes are dark
(also: reflective velcro bicycling bands around ankles or wrists can be a good
idea).
8. Never let a child trick-or-treat alone. If they’re
going out unsupervised, make sure they stay in a group.
9. Don’t let pets run loose! Halloween is a scary time
for pets and they may become aggressive in protecting your home or themselves.
10. Be allergy-sensitive and skip treats with nuts or
peanut butter (or offer allergen free alternatives).
11. Do a “treat check” before letting kids dive in,
chucking anything questionable either for safety concerns or spoilage.
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