Home Security at Halloween

Each year, Halloween gives Americans the opportunity to dress up in crazy costumes, party all night long and let out their inner ghoul. Many of us also look forward to handing out candy to kids trick-or-treating on this most hallowed of all eves. Unfortunately, Halloween is also the one night of the year where you have to be more alert than ever about your home security. Even if you have a good home security system, it won’t help if you open the door to a criminal posing as a trick-or-treater, or if kids decide to vandalize your property because you’ve run out of candy. So to protect yourself and your property, here are ten tips to help you prepare for Halloween:

• If you have pets, keep them inside. You don’t want your cat or dog becoming the victim of some kid’s misguided prank.
• Clear your yard of debris and other items. If anybody trips over the hose you left out on the lawn, they could get hurt and you don’t want that happening on your property.
• Park you car in the garage, and lock bikes and other equipment you usually leave outside away. This will protect them from being vandalized or stolen.
• If you have a sprinkler system, consider using it to deter groups of kids from trampling your lawn.
• Remember that candles on the porch or by your front door are a fire hazard. Kids can burn themselves, or the candles can get knocked over and cause a fire. If you do place candles in a jack-o-lantern, check them regularly throughout the evening and make sure your home security system’s fire alarms work properly.
• Make sure the exterior of your home is well lit, and that motion-sensor lights work properly, to deter criminals from hiding in your yard.
• Never let anybody you don’t know and trust into your home, no matter how distressed or upset they may appear. When somebody’s in your home, your home security system won’t stop them from stealing something or harming you.
• Decide on a cut-off time to answer the door for trick-or-treaters. Some groups may arrive late, but if you turn off your lights, this should effectively signal that you’re no longer handing out candy.
• If you see any suspicious activity, call your local police department immediately.
• Start organizing additional help for your neighborhood watch a few weeks before Halloween. Ask your neighbors if they’d like to volunteer for extra patrols, and make sure your entire neighborhood is covered.

Photo via boxercab