Halloween season is upon us, which means spooky nights, pumpkin-flavored “everything”, costumes, and candy galore! Here are a few ways to keep our communities safe during this fun time of year.

Tips for Preparing your Association for Halloween

The National Safety Council’s (NSC) research reveals that on average, Halloween night reports over 3,000 pedestrian and motor vehicle-related accidents. Whether your community is hosting a community event, or just welcoming visitors in for trick-or-treating, here are some helpful tips to ensure that your community stays safe so that everyone can enjoy their treats.

·    Keep the neighborhood well-lit

·    Ensure decorations and signage is in compliance with the CC&Rs

·    Do a drive-through of the community to identify hazards that could present a problem for young children

·    Encourage extra caution when driving – post signs if appropriate

·    Ask owners who are participating in Halloween to leave lights on and ask families to knock only on doors with the lights on

·    Organize a neighborhood watch for the evening

·    Consider holding an event with contests or games as an alternative to going door-to-door

·    Encourage pet owners to keep their pets controlled for the safety of the children and the pet

Tips for Residents for Halloween Finding the Perfect Costume

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, these are factors you need to keep in mind when picking out a costume:

·    Costume and wigs should be fire-resistant

·    Costumes should be reflective, fasten reflective tape to the costume and bags and have them carry glow sticks or flashlights

·    If using Halloween makeup, make sure it is nontoxic and test on a small area first to avoid reactions

When on the Prowl

·    Young children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult

·    If older children are going alone, be sure to review the route that they plan to take & set a time to return or check-in

·    Teach children to never enter a stranger’s home or car

·    Any route taken needs to be well-lit and familiar

·    Tell children to not eat any candy until they are back home so you can check it first

·    Put away electronic devices like phones or headphones and heads kept up when crossing the street – and walk, don’t run

Tips for Motorists

For those who won’t be participating in the trick-or-treating but might be on the road, the NSC offers these safety tips:

·    Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs or those who may be wearing dark costumes or masks

·    Enter and exit driveways with extra care

·    New or inexperienced drivers should not drive on Halloween night

Remember, this is the season to dress up and have fun, but part of having fun is ensuring everyone in your community is safe. To sum it up — wear bright-colored or reflective costumes, always trick-or-treat with a group or responsible adult and drive with extra care on Halloween night. Always remember to teach kids how to call 9-1-1 (or local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice. No recipient of this content should act or refrain from acting without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice.

Sentry Management is a full-service community management company. Sentry’s business is the day-to-day operation of communities, homeowner associations, and condominiums. Sentry is accredited as an AMO® (Accredited Management Organization) by the Institute of Real Estate Management, providing the independent evaluation that Sentry has one of the highest operating and financial standards in the industry. Sentry operates in dozens of localities in Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.