Trick or treat! It’s almost the time of year when millions of families will be upholding that time-honored tradition of roaming neighborhoods in search of candy and fun. Sadly, many home intruders are eagerly awaiting Halloween as much as your little princesses and superheroes. Because the commotion of the holiday, under the auspices of costumes, creates an ideal opportunity for them to burglarize your home!
Even if you don’t have a home security system, there are still other Halloween security tips you can put into action to keep your home and family safe …
- Make sure your property is well lit. Installing spotlights or motion sensor lights that automatically turn on when someone approaches can serve as a deterrent for many burglars.
- Don’t let your car be a target for pranksters. If you have a garage, move your car into it. If the garage is not an option, move your car to a well-lit area.
- Make use of timers. If you have timers, connect them in rooms facing the front of the house and program them light up randomly. If you don’t have them, think about investing in a few. You can buy a simple one for less than $5.
- Consider handing out candy away from your front door. Many people now like to set-up a table out in from of their home and hand out candy there instead of having kids knock on their door. The less people know about the layout and content of your home, the better.
- Use discretion when opening the door. While nearly all trick-or-treaters are innocent kids only interested in collecting candy, you must still be cautious when opening your door. And after a certain time, it’s a good idea not to open it at all.