Safe In 60: Prep Your Yard To Welcome Those Ghosts & Goblins

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – Each year, we talk about how to keep your kids safe as they Trick or Treat. But there are things we as homeowners can do to make our porches and property safe for the mini ghosts and goblins that will be visiting on Halloween.

As you decorate your yard and prepare for the spooky night, avoid using real candles, especially on your walkways or porch where children will gather. Glow sticks or battery-operated tea lights will do the trick. If you do use candles, make sure they are on a stable platform away from any trick-or-treaters. And it’s a good idea to have a fire extinguisher nearby just in case.

Those adorable costumes can sometimes be difficult to walk in, so it’s a good idea to remove anything from your yard or porch that could be a tripping hazard – like bikes, garden hoses, low flowerpots or lawn decorations that are hard to see after dark.

Remove any debris, like wet leaves, from sidewalks and stairs.

Check your outdoor lights and replace any burned out bulbs so your walkways will be well-lit.

It can be a scary night for your pets too. Keep them behind closed doors so they don’t run away or jump on any trick or treaters.

And if you’re driving – please slow down. The dark streets will be full of witches and superheroes. Kids are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween.

Click here for more Halloween safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics,