Happy Halloween! Now that the holiday’s officially here, soon trick-or-treaters will be knocking on your door. Are you ready? With only a few hours until the big event, you’ve got plenty of time to prepare your home. Just follow these easy steps and enjoy yourselves!
Step 1: Clean Up Pathways
In order to welcome trick-or-treaters effectively, they need to have a clear path to your front door! Obviously, you’re going to leave out your festive decorations. Just make sure all pumpkins, straw, and scarecrows are off the side—along with other potential tripping hazards. Last minute sweeping is also a good idea. You’ll want to remove as many leaves as possible (especially wet ones), so none of your costumed guests slip on their way to the candy. If you notice any cracks, crevices, or other dangers on your sidewalks or driveway, consider putting up a warning sign. While we can help you repave or reseal these surfaces, we probably won’t be able to do that within the next couple of hours. But, those caution signs could go well with your other Halloween décor!
Step 2: Shed Some Light
Of course, spooky lighting is great for setting the mood, but make sure you factor safety in, too! Pathways should be especially illuminated so trick-or-treaters don’t wander off or trip on something unexpected in your yard. Make sure your door and/or porch are also well-lit. It may ruin the scary atmosphere you’re going for, but it lets trick-or-treaters know your house is a safe stop on their route. Plus, it keeps the experience from getting too scary for some of the younger participants.
Step 3: Put Away Valuables
When it comes to security on Halloween, it’s not just the safety of trick-or-treaters you want to ensure. Your home should remain secure, as well! If you’ve got a security system in place, from video doorbells, to motion-activated lighting, and/or security cameras, don’t disable them this evening. Even though there will be more activity on a night like this, disabling them could result in you missing an important incident—like a break-in. You can minimize this risk by storing valuable decorations or packages inside before the trick-or-treating begins. Expensive lawn equipment should be placed within a secure shed or garage for safety and security. Then, if you have time, do a basic perimeter check. Ensure all your doors and windows are locked, including fence and deck gates, so as to limit the potential for pranksters.
Step 4: Have Plenty of Candy on Hand
You can’t forget the candy! Nothing puts a damper on the festivities quite like running out of sweets. This is one occasion where having a membership to BJ’s or Costco comes in handy. To make it last, keep the trick-or-treating traditional. Sometimes just putting a bowl out with a “Take One” sign seems easier, but it can actually detract from the holiday. Not only are you more likely to run out of candy, but also this practice can attract clusters of older, more rambunctious participants. Who might not react well once the candy’s gone. Plus, how will you get to see all the costumes if you’re not answering the door?
We hope you have a great Halloween with a safe night of trick-or-treating to top it off! If you need help readying your home and yard for the next holidays coming up, don’t hesitate to contact us. Whether it’s an exterior decking, fencing, or paving job—or an interior remodeling project—our team can help transform any space. We look forward to working with you!