Halloween is one of our busiest times of year in the lighting industry. This makes sense since more strangers will walk up to your home in one evening than any other day of the year.

We all know the potential dangerous step or other obstical on our own property, but a six-year old that only has candy on his or her mind will not be looking as carefully.  A properly lit pathway and stairs will help protect you and the swarm of guests that will be invading your home.

Indirect lighting in a tree or the house can sometimes provide enough light to keep everyone safe. We also recommend solid path lights to guide everyone’s step.
This will make your home look warmer and more inviting, so be prepared to have some extra candy on hand.

Below are some general safety tips provided by the Fairfax County, VA Police Department in their October 2008 newsletter:

• Homeowners should prepare their home for trick-or-treaters by removing obstacles from the front yard, restraining dogs and other animals, and lighting the house well.
• Provide treats that are individually wrapped candy or offer kids nonfood treats, such as stickers and erasers.
• Artificial lights and candles are a safer alternative to real candles with a flame that can pose a fire hazard.

And here are some of their Trick-or-Treating safety tips as well:

• Children should be well supervised by an adult when trick-or-treating. Older children should trick-or-treat in large groups in well known neighborhoods.
• Carry a flashlight.
• Stick to well lit houses in familiar neighborhoods only.
• Follow traffic signals and rules of the road.
• Drive slowly.
• Avoid taking shortcuts across backyards or alleys. Stick to the sidewalks of well lit streets.

Prince William County, VA police also have a helpful “Crime Prevention Center” link on their website with Halloween safety tips such as:

• Wear light colors or reflective tape on costumes.
• Stay in groups, if they’re older, or with parents, if they’re younger.
• Visit only familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
• Do not eat their treats until they get home.

And lastly, a useful tip for those of us staying at home to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters:

• Outdoor lights and porch lights should be turned on to encourage trick-or-treaters.  After trick-0r-treating hours have ended or you no longer have candy to distribute, you should turn off all outdoor lights to discourage unwanted visitors.