Theunis Kotze, ADT general manager Inland Region, cautions all residents to ensure they keep their family and home safe, whether they are out collecting candy or just staying at home.
Here are safety tips to take note of:
Child safety
- Light up the night: Make your children easily visible with flashlights or glow sticks
- Always ensure children are accompanied by an adult or older sibling: Set a time limit and a designated route to follow during their trick or treating
- Never allow children to enter a stranger’s house or accept any strange sweets from them. Kotze said, “There is no kind of candy that is worth a security risk, so do not allow your children to enter a stranger’s home, no matter how appealing the offer or Halloween display.”
- Host your own Halloween: This will give you full control of your child’s whereabouts and the people he or she socializes with during Halloween. Kotze said, “If you want to be able to keep your home and children safe at the same time, consider having your own Halloween party. This will allow you to choose what your children get for Halloween and who they are mixing with.”
Protect Your Home While You Are Out
- Arm your security system: The excitement and stresses involved in preparing for Halloween can make one forgetful, so always remember to set your alert when leaving your home
- Light up Your Home: Whether or not you have plans to go out on Halloween night, be sure to keep your home well lit. Turn on a few lights around your home to give the impression that someone is home
- Adjust your security camera settings: If you have security cameras, you may want to adjust the areas that they are focused on. Areas such as various entry points to your property are definite places to point your cameras.
Cellphones are for Security
Kotze said, “Cellphones are great for keeping you secure when you are out of the house. If your child does not have a cellphone and you are not the one taking him or her trick-or-treating, allow your child to borrow your phone.”
- Check the charge: If your child has a cellphone, make sure it is fully charged so you can keep in contact with them at all times
- Check your security system on a regular basis: If you have a home automation system, you can check in on your security system on Halloween from your phone.
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