Every year, we have the same problem. How much candy is enough? Not only for us adults to eat, but also to hand out to the kids coming around the block. Next question, how old is too old to go trick-or-treating? (I could sure use a stache in a pillowcase at home). This is the time of year kids go crazy for candy, and it is one of the funnest things to do with your children, so enjoy it.

However, like anything, there are potential risks involved during the trick or treat festivities. You will have constant traffic of kids up and down the streets. Please make sure when you are driving you are paying close attention to the children walking around. They will likely be hopped up on sugar and could (will) make sporadic decisions and movements. So please keep a close eye on them.

Also, as a homeowner, you will also have the constant foot traffic of little kids up and down your driveway, to your house to collect candy. With children walking up and down your driveway, you need to make sure you don’t have anything that could cause them to trip or fall. With Halloween, it’s hard not to have scary decorations out, just make sure they aren’t placed in a way that could cause potential injury. Having a well lit driveway for the children to see clearly, would be a big help as well. With a homeowners policy, you will have liability coverage included on your policy. If you happen to be negligent and an injury occurred on your property, you would have the coverage. However, it is better to take precautions to avoid these types of scenarios.

Turning your pumpkins into Jack-O-Lanterns is another Halloween must; putting your artistic creative abilities to the test. However, placing actual candles in the pumpkins can be a potential hazard if it were knocked over. You can purchase small electric candles to place inside to help prevent those hazards while still providing that glow-in-the-dark eeriness.

Unfortunately, there is still the trick portion to Halloween. While this can be fun to pull a small trick on someone, this can also end up being taken out of context and resulting in more severe types of vandalism. To protect yourself all year round, you may wish to consider a security system, cameras or a big guard dog (or a small dog, with a big bark!). Just make sure the dog stays inside while the little trick-or-treaters are coming to collect!

This is a fun night for everyone, let’s make sure everyone stays safe for it.