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DD Web • Oct 30, 2017

More Treats, Less Tricks: Halloween Tips for Utah Homeowners

Eek! Halloween is just around the corner (tomorrow, to be exact) and the holiday that celebrates all things wicked and dark is the nation’s second-largest holiday. Decorations, costumes, pumpkins, party essentials, and of course, candy are eating up our paychecks, with Halloween spending projected to rake in 9.1 billion in sales this month and an average of $86.13 per consumer (up from $82.93 last year).

With roughly seven in 10 planning to celebrate Halloween this year, Utah homeowners have a lot to prepare for. Younger celebrators are more likely to dress in costume and attend or host a party, while older generations are stuck with ‘candy-duty.’ Whether you’re headed out or staying in, there are a few things you can do to protect your visitors — and your home — on the spookiest night of the year.

1- Clear your sidewalks

Clear away any items that can be tripped over, such as tools, hoses and broken branches. Keep outdoor decorations away from your driveway and sidewalk, and avoid blocking the entrances and exits of your home. Repair any loose railings and broken floor boards before the haunt so nobody gets hurt. Liability may fall on homeowners if party guests or trick or treaters get hurt on their property.

2- Lights on!

Halloween is all about setting a spooky mood, but light up the night for safety. Outdoor lights improve visibility and provide safe passage to party guests and trick-or-treaters. Ample lighting both in and outside of your home will make kids – and their parents – feel more comfortable visiting (unless that is, you’d rather not have ghouls and ghosts for visitors).

3- Decorate carefully

Jack O’ Lanterns are a Halloween essential, however, candles can present a fire hazard. When decorating your home, place streamers, fabric and paper ornaments away from tea lights and pillar candles. Also consider using battery-powered flameless candles. You’ll get the same atmosphere, but without the risk!

4- Hand out store-bought treats

Remember to stick to sealed, pre-packaged goodies. Most parents will inspect their kids’ bags at the end of the evening and homemade treats will likely get thrown out. You could also go candy-free with non-food items such as glow sticks, play-doh or pencils. Kids love the novelty and they’re especially welcome for families with allergies.

5- Keep your pets safe

Your favorite furry friends can get easily excited or scared by new people (especially ones looking a little ominous) ringing the doorbell. Avoid potential problems by confining them to the backyard or a different room. Then you can pass out treats worry-free!

6- Protect your own trick-or-treaters

As kids take to the streets on Halloween, their risk of being injured by motorists increases greatly. Always accompany your littlest trick-or-treaters as they make their rounds and stay on sidewalks. Remind older kids to only visit well-lit homes and stick to familiar streets. Encourage them to only go out in groups, and make sure they ask your permission before entering a stranger’s home.

7- Watch out for mischief!

In most cases Halloween night draws out harmless trick or treaters, but it can also attract the prowling pranksters. Property vandalism and injuries spike on Halloween, so Utah homeowners should keep valuable property inside and be on the lookout for troublemakers. Most homeowners insurance policies will provide coverage for vandalism and some Halloween-related mishaps, so make sure your home insurance policy is up-to-date!

Happy Haunting!
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