Yes, Halloween can be frightening, but not just because of your kids’ masks and costumes. 

Okay, so your family wants to have fun with elaborate face paintings and collaborative costumes to celebrate this spooky day. But the last thing you want to deal with is the not-so-fun fear of vandalism gone awry. You don’t want to have to file an insurance claim or clean up the damage from some kind of Halloween prank. Here are some Halloween stats from ADT Security for you to be aware of:

• On average, crimes related to theft away from home jump by 21% on Halloween.
• Insurance claims for theft inside the home are approximately 60% higher due to Halloween shenanigans.
• Claims related to vandalism raise by 19% because of Halloween mischief.
• On Halloween night, car theft increases by about 5%.
• Halloween has the highest average number of insurance claims for any day of the year.

So, here are 8 simple tips and tricks to help you keep your home and family safe this year!

1. Put your pets in a closed room.

Your fur babies – no matter how large or small – can bring joy and love to any home, but not all your visitors will feel the same way. Your pets might usually be welcoming to newcomers, but animals can be unpredictable. Confine your pet in a room away from the front door. This will keep them less stressed, prevent unwanted harm and will prevent them from getting loose.

2. Turn on outside lights.

No one likes tripping and we’re sure you won’t appreciate if your perennials get stepped on. We get it! Your home looks extra spooky with only a few jack-o’-lanterns lit. However, a dark lit home will not only deter trick-or-treaters but could also be an accident (or break-in) waiting to happen. Keep the pathway from the street to your door well-lit and prevent any scraped knees or uprooted greenery.

3. Park your car in the garage.

The night before Halloween can be full of mischief, and the night of can lead to a yard full of kiddos. Instead of risking accidental dents or scratches (or pranks), park your car in your garage. If you don’t have a garage, be sure to park your car in a place with low traffic.

4. Use LED-lit candles instead of real candles.

Candles are great for creating a sense of mystery or a feeling of warmth, but they also run the risk of accidental house or yard fires. Unless you’re going to be keeping a close eye on every single candle, try swapping them out for LED ones instead. Your jack-o’-lanterns and other decorations will have the same effect, without the added risk.

5. Avoid homemade treats.

You might have a fall recipe your friends and family love, but many parents won’t let their kids eat non-prepackaged candy. Plus, labels that have allergy warnings can help prevent life-threatening reactions. Skip your famous candy corn mix and stick with the fun-size candies you can buy in bulk from the store.

6. Take pictures of your property before festivities begin.

Be sure to take pictures of your property before trick-or-treaters start to arrive. While you may be vigilant about securing the perimeter of your home, it’s hard to always prevent accidents or vandalism from happening to the exterior when you’re busy having fun yourself!

7. Keep an eye on your front door and your entry gate area

Since you’ll have trick-or-treaters knocking at your door fairly often, you’ll obviously want to be close by your door. However, it’s a good idea to lock your iron security door, or front door if you don’t have a security screen door, after every visit. Most people just want to have a nice time on Halloween, but it’s good to keep a close watch on any possible tricksters.

8. Turn your alarm back on before you go to bed.

You might turn off your alarm at the beginning of the night due to the unearthly amount of times you’ll be opening your door, but once the night is done, don’t forget to set your alarm again. Having an armed and monitored home can give you the comfort needed to rest after an active evening.

If you’d like to know more about keeping your active little trick-or-treaters out of harms way, you can find more tips and a downloadable list here for trick-or-treater safety! Please have a safe, fun Halloween. Practice our tips and enjoy this day with your family and friends!