5 Halloween Safety Tips for Your Rental Property

As October 31 approaches, your youngest residents are anticipating a night filled with costumes and candy. While the holiday is all about celebrating the spooky and the scary, you don’t want that to turn into reality. Whether you manage a rental home on the side or own a small building, ensure that everyone involved has a safe and fun Halloween by taking the following safety precautions on your property.

Light outdoor and common areas

Paths and hallways aren’t the only places that will receive the brunt of trick-or-treat traffic. Make sure any stairways, side alleys, and front lawns are properly lit too, so kids can see where they’re going. A well-lit property will also deter tricksters who are looking for homes to vandalize. Replace burnt-out floodlights or add solar lights along pathways to brighten dark areas.

Install non-slip treads

Carrying heavy bags of candy up and down stairs while wearing a mask and costume can be the perfect recipe for a bad fall. Prevent trick-or-treaters from tripping on the steps by installing non-slip stair treads. Spending a few dollars on anti-slip tape at the hardware store is a no-brainer when it comes to preventing injuries on your property.

Limit access to unauthorized areas

The risk of vandalism and theft goes up on Halloween, when there’s a lot more foot traffic around your neighborhood. Remind your residents to close and lock exterior doors, gates, and windows so they won’t be easy targets for criminal activity.

Ask residents to enclose pets

Unfamiliar visitors and loud noises can make pets nervous. Prevent escaped pets or aggressive behavior by reminding your residents to keep their pets away from the front door.

Remind residents about fire safety

Remind your residents about your policies for open flames on the property, especially as the weather gets chilly. Candles, jack-o-lanterns, and luminarias are fun seasonal decorations, but they can also be easily overturned. Complete an inspection of the smoke detectors on your property and ask your residents to use battery-powered lights as a safer alternative.