Halloween and everyday safety tips for homes

Sweep and Declutter 

Driveway, walkways and porch

Sweep the walkways and porches clean of leaves and twigs, they can be slippery and trippy. Pick up hoses, toys and bikes from yard, driveway, walking paths and porch. Keep candle-lit pumpkins away from stairs and walkways, they can be a fire hazard for costumes, pets and visitors tripping and tipping over. Battery operated candles are safer than candles and can last longer.

Light it up and be careful opening the door to strangers

Keep walkways and porch well lit for guests and trick or treaters and to discourage pranksters and vandals. If you are unsure of person at the door do not open it. I use the window near the front door to speak to people that I do not know that come to the house. That way you do not have to open the door and it would be harder for someone to force their way into the window rather than the door.

Secure pets

Close pets in a room or crate to keep them from escaping while answering the door for visitors and trick or treaters. Costumes and strangers can be scary for pets. If they are like my pets, the doorbell is pretty scary, too. Keep their collars with ID tags on and make sure their micro chip info is up to date just in case they escape and are running loose in the neighborhood.

Have a safe and fun Halloween!