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7 Halloween Tricks That Will Give You Goosebumps

Electrical Safety and HalloweenIt won’t be long before you are greeted by ghosts and goblins shouting, “Trick or Treat” in your neighborhood! Halloween is a night filled with costumes, spooky thrills and, of course, fun and no one wants their Happy Halloween to be marred by an accident. Everything from Jack O’ Lantern candles to poorly run electrical wires for decorations pose a significant safety problem for trick-or-treaters and homeowners. But, not to worry—there are several precautions you can take before those blood-sucking zombies and evil ballerinas start demanding candy at your door!

Whether you are transforming your home into a haunted graveyard or simply handing out candy to your neighborhood witches, ghosts, and ghouls, a quick safety check will help ensure a happy night of haunting for all!

    • Before you decorate, inspect each electrical decoration you plan on using and discard any decorations with damaged or frayed wires, broken sockets, or faulty plugs. If you are using any electric decorations outside, make sure they are marked “for outdoor use.” Keep all the electrical cords out of heavily trafficked areas, where they can become a tripping hazard to yourself and trick-or-treaters. Check your outdoor outlets, these often deteriorate fast because of sun and rain. Finally, be sure to plug all outdoor decorations into circuits protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters to prevent electric shock. If you have any concerns or electrical questions, we are here to help educate you on all your electrical options, to help you make an informed decision.
    • Make sure the path from your driveway or sidewalk to your front door is free from obstructions or hazards. Repair loose porch railings and uneven walkway stones that may pose a tripping hazard to young trick-or-treaters, especially the ones wearing masks! Also, if you added spooky decorations to your yard like tombstones, cobwebs or mummies, be sure that these decorations do not obstruct any walkways.
    • Trick-or-treaters are fueled by candy and adrenaline, they race their friends from house to house, cutting through yards and alleyways. Make sure you rake leaves, remove dead branches, trim hedgerows, and fill in large holes. Put away your bikes and store all the potted plants, gardening tools, and hoses out of the yard and a safe distance away from any walkways.
    • Check your homeowner’s coverage before you open your home up to visitors, even if they are just trick-or-treaters on the front porch. Violations can expose you to potential insurance claims or even worse a lawsuit. Check with your homeowner’s agent to make sure you are adequately covered.
    • During late October you might get some days when you can leave your windows open and turn off your AC Unit to save a little energy. October is also a good month to have your air conditioner cleaned. This will keep it running smoothly all year long. Have a qualified service technician at Wentzel’s in Sarasota, Florida inspect and service your air conditioning and heating equipment today. In addition, if you have a maintenance agreement for your HVAC, there are several benefits:
      • 10% discount on service parts
      • better indoor air quality
      • equipment runs more efficiently saving you money
      • catch problems early preventing major problems
      • avoid surprises—emergency repairs are less likely to be needed!
    • Whether you have plans to go out on Halloween night or not, be sure to keep your home well lit. Turn on a few lights around your home to give the impression that someone is there and still awake. Additionally, well-lit areas outside your home will deter potential intruders or malicious pranksters by eliminating hiding places caused by shadows.
    • Be sure to remind your kids to use common sense. Arm your security system while you’re out. When in doubt, throw it out. Check that all treats are sealed and contain no foreign objects before letting your children or yourself eat them. Wear reflective clothing or add reflective tape to costumes. Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries, and try to travel in a group.

    Whether you’re putting out a few scary Halloween decorations, handing out candy, hosting a full-blown haunted evening, or accompanying a young trick or treater, by preparing with these basic Halloween safety tips, you can help ensure a safe and haunted Halloween for your entire family, and trick-or-treating guests.

  • HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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