As Halloween approaches, excitement for spooky festivities builds across the nation. While Halloween is a fun time for all ages, it’s also essential for communities to prioritize safety so that the night remains a treat for everyone involved. Here are a few tips to help prepare your community for a safe and spooky Halloween:

 

1. Ensure Common Areas are Well-Lit

• Hallways, outdoor walkways, parking lots, and other common areas should be well-lit to avoid accidents.
• Adequate lighting also adds a sense of security for residents, especially those with young trick-or-treaters!
• To save energy, consider installing motion-sensor lighting in areas that do not need to be constantly lit.

2. Walking and Driving Safety

• Promote traveling in groups or with a responsible adult, especially for younger children.
• Indicate crosswalks or heavily traveled paths clearly using signage, reflective tape, or lighting. Depending on your community’s location, you may consider a crossing guard.
• Consider handing out glow sticks in your community to promote a safe, and fun, way to increase the visibility of trick-or-treaters.

3. Handing Out Treats

• Handing out candy in your community? Offer allergy-safe options too! Some common allergens found in Halloween treats include milk, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, etc.
• Does your community have a large pet population? Halloween candy can pose an extreme danger to pets who may accidentally find treats lying around. To ensure pet safety, keep candy higher up, off the ground, and possibly even in sealed containers.

4. Keep the Community Safe for Trick-or-Treaters

• It is common for trick-or-treaters to run on Halloween, so obstructed walkways can threaten their safety. Clear walkways of any tripping hazards such as leaves, sticks, garden hoses, or decorations.
• Clear landscaping around your community. Overgrown bushes and trees can pose a danger, creating a hiding place for unwanted guests and obstructing the view of walkways and windows. A clean community is a safe community, and it also enhances curb appeal!

5. Decoration Safety

• Decorations are a great way to show your spooky spirit, but they can easily become dangerous. Stretching wires for lighting, fog, and sound machines across walkways is quite hazardous, so ensure they are not obstructive and are tightly secured.
• Be mindful of fire safety hazards such as open flames, frayed wires, and hot light bulbs. Keep dry decorations like hay, cornstalks, and cloth away from any open flame and heat sources.

By preparing your community ahead of time, you can ensure Halloween is fun and safe for everyone. Stay spooky—and safe—this Halloween!

 

Need a hand preparing your community for Halloween? Request staff here!