Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls—oh my! It’s that bewitching time of fall where every little one in the neighborhood comes out searching for delicious treats. Here are four tips for keeping your home a safe place this Halloween.

#1: Remember Your Pets

While Halloween is a fun time for humans, it can be somewhat of a scary one for your dog or cat. Make sure everyone has a safe holiday by remembering your pets this year. Keep your furry friend in a secure location, such as a kennel or secured room. Not only with this help cut down on barking each time a little one rings your doorbell, it can help ensure the animal doesn’t try to run out when the door opens. Furthermore, this can help eliminate bites, scratches, and other unpleasant events.

#2: Remove Hazards from Your Yard

It is also important to make sure your property is safe for trick-or-treaters. Remove any hazards that pose a tripping risk, such as garden hoses and loose landscaping stones. You’ll also want to fill in any holes or low areas that a child might stumble over in his or her sugary excitement. If you have any bushes or low tree branches that could catch on clothing, trim them back.

#3: Turn On Lights

Along the same lines as keeping your yard cleaned up comes keeping it well-lit. Turn on as many exterior lights as you can to help illuminate the front of your property. Not only will this help keep little ones safe, it also helps deter would-be pranksters from striking and causing property damage.

#4: Check Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

Another important Halloween task is checking your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure it is up-to-date. Why? Anytime you have guests on your property—even if it is just for a few moments to collect candy—you run the risk of a liability claim if someone is injured. Thus, it is vital that before the holiday arrives, you’ve spoken with your agent.

Do you have questions about your policy? Our team at AssureUS can help. Please contact us today for a no-obligation coverage review.