Halloween is creeping up quickly, and that means it’s time to start planning costumes, candy, and creative decorations. But whether you’re a first-time home buyer or an established member of the neighborhood, there’s one thing you can’t afford to overlook amidst all the spooky fun: keeping your home is as safe as it is festive for you, your guests, and your trick-or-treaters.

In this guide, we’ll cover the must-know Halloween home safety tips that every homeowner should follow so you can enjoy a night full of thrills—without any real-life scares!

1. Brighten the Night

According to the National Safety Council, increased pedestrian traffic and lower visibility because of costumes and masks increase the risks of incidents during the Halloween holiday. By properly lighting your home, driveway, and yard, you can reduce the risk of trips, slips, and falls.

Here are a couple of tips to follow to ensure that your walkways, stairs, and porch are well-lit:

• Install pathway lights. Place solar or LED path lights along your walkways.
• Add string lights or lanterns. Hang weatherproof string lights or place outdoor lanterns along your stairs and porch. You can even buy festive lights or jack-o-lanterns to keep things Halloween-centric.
• Use motion-sensor lights. Install motion-activated lights near your entryways and stairs to automatically light up when someone approaches.

These tips can help you find energy-efficiency lights that are easy to install and provide a welcoming glow for trick-or-treaters! Plus, a well-lit home is a key security tip, too—it sends a message to potential vandals that your property is cared for and being watched, helping to minimize unwanted tricks during the holiday. By ensuring your home is safely illuminated, you can create a festive atmosphere while keeping everyone safe and secure.

2. Ensure Clear Walkways

Children, especially those in elaborate or bulky costumes, often have limited vision or mobility, making it harder for them to navigate cluttered areas. Clearing your walkways ensures that excited trick-or-treaters can safely make their way to your door without incident. There are a few steps you can follow to clear your yard:

• Walk along your paths, driveways, and entryways to ensure they’re free of obstacles like fallen branches or loose decorations that could be a tripping hazard in the dark.
• Rake away allen leaves, which can become slippery if they’re wet.
• Secure loose outdoor rugs or mats, as they can easily shift underfoot, creating additional tripping hazards.

Keep in mind that the size and layout of your yard matters, too. For larger yards, placing temporary barriers or low fencing can help guide trick-or-treaters along a safe path to your door, ensuring they avoid stepping into flower beds or tripping over landscaping features.

3. Protect Your Pets

From constant doorbell ringing to strangers in unusual costumes, Halloween activities that are festive for humans can be stressful for pets. If you’re a pet owner, here are a few precautions you can take to protect your furry friends during the festivities:

• Create a quiet space. Set up a secure area in yur home where your pets can retreat during the Halloween festivities. This could be a separate room with their favorite toys, blankets, and perhaps calming music or white noise to mask the sounds of the outside commotion.
• Limit access to the door. With the door opening frequently for trick-or-treaters, there’s a higher chance of your pet slipping outside unnoticed. Consider keeping your pet in a separate room away from the entrance, or skip the stress entirely by setting up an outdoor station to hand out candy, reducing the number of times your door is opened.
• Keep candy and decorations out of reach. Many Halloween treats are toxic to pets, especially chocolate and sugar-free candy containing xylitol. Also, decorations like fake cobwebs, string lights, and small trinkets pose choking or entanglement hazards. Keep all candy and decorations out of reach from curious paws and noses.

Even with precautions, it’s possible that a frightened pet could bolt out the door. Make sure your pet is wearing an updated ID tag with your contact information, and consider microchipping if you haven’t already. Having this extra layer of security can help you act quickly if your pet does manage to escape.

4. Decorate with Caution

Halloween decorations can be an exciting part of the night, but also extremely dangerous if they aren’t displayed safely. Prevent accidents with these precautions:

• Avoid using flammable materials in your displays, especially near open flames or electrical outlets. Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association show that around 790 home fires in recent years began with decorations, and nearly half of those occurred because the decoration was too close to a heat source.
• Check all extension cords for any damage, like fraying. Also, when decorating outside, use extension cords rated specifically for outdoor use that can withstand weather conditions. Avoid overloading electrical outlets, which can lead to overheating or short circuits.
• Test your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. Make sure your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are functioning properly. Also, keep your fire extinguisher close by and easy to reach in case of an emergency.

For more fire safety tips, consult resources like the NFPA or your local fire department to keep your home and guests safe during the holiday season.

5. Offer Safe and Inclusive Treats

1 in 13 children are affected by food allergies, meaning you’ll probably encounter a few trick-or-treaters with dietary restrictions. Being mindful of potential allergens is the key to ensuring that all trick-or-treaters can enjoy the holiday.

Many brands now offer candies that are nut-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free. To accommodate a wider range of trick-or-treaters, consider providing allergen-friendly classics, such as:

• Smarties
• Skittles
• Gummy bears or gummy worms

A small sign listing the ingredients of the treats can be incredibly helpful to parents and children with allergies. Also, keep the original packaging on hand for parents who may want to double-check.

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By keeping these safety tips in mind, you can ensure the night is filled with only the right kind of frights. So, throw on your best costume, light up the jack-o’-lanterns, and get ready for a safe and thrilling Halloween celebration—where the only surprises are the ones you planned!