With Halloween right around the corner it won’t be long until trick-or-treaters are running up to your door looking to fill their bags with candy. If you’re handing out candy, you’ll want to make sure that your house is ready and safe for trick-or-treaters of all ages. Preparing your house and taking additional safety precautions gives both the parents of trick-or-treaters and yourself a sense of security.
Light it Up
Having a well-lit path to your doorstep is a great way to help those spooky visitors find their way up to your house. This can be especially helpful since some costumes might partially block someone’s vision, so the lights will help guide them all the way up to your doorstep. If you need lights for your walkway, consider using something like glow sticks, LED string lights, or even tea candles for some illumination.
Clear the Path
Baggy costumes are already a tripping hazard as it is, so don’t double down on that. Clear any debris like rocks and sticks from your walkway prior to trick-or-treating to help prevent candy from spilling everywhere. Make sure that your decorations don’t spill over onto your walkway as well.
Who Let the Dogs Out
Hopefully not you! Dressing your pet up for Halloween is a great way to get some cute pictures for social media but consider keeping them away from the doorway. The door will be opening and closing all night, and the constant flow of new faces coming to the house might stress them out. Put up a pet gate or block the doorway in some fashion to keep them from running for the door every time it opens.
Offer Some Options
Food allergies are a big concern around Halloween time, so it’s always a good idea to have some other alternatives for those who might be allergic to nuts or have other sorts of food allergies. You don’t need to have a huge separate bowl of candy, but a small bag off to the side for those ghouls who tell you they have a food allergy is a nice touch. It also shows that you’re a caring neighbor, which is a nice benefit.
Have Some Fun
Just because trick-or-treating is for kids doesn’t mean you can’t dress up as well! When kids come to your door, they are going to be much happier if you’re dressed up too. Also consider playing some spooky music to create a nice Halloween ambiance. If their parents are dressed up as well, give them some candy for being in the Halloween spirit.
If you’re unsure about when trick-or-treating is scheduled for your area, check out times from across the state here.