5 Halloween Home Security Tricks

5 Halloween Home Security Tricks

Just because Halloween is here doesn't mean you have to throw security out the window.

Hollywood Halloween tropes often put normal people in scary situations allowing for frightening screams and terrifying outcomes. However, that doesn't have to be the summary of your Halloween. 

Even though Halloween is the one night of the year where kids, teens and parents feel entitled to walk up to front door and yell, "trick-or-treat!," you don't have to let them encroach in your safety zone. Here's a few tips to ensure that your home and family are kept secure while the ghosts and goblins walk the streets.

Sit outside. Decide if you want to keep opening your door to strangers. If not, grab that old foldable chair you have for your daughter's soccer games out of the back of your car and place it right in front of your door. By sitting out front, you have the advantage of seeing people coming your way. You are also making sure they don't linger on your porch any longer than they have to, this cuts down someone's ability to peer into your windows and decide if they want to come back later to grab some goodies of their own.

Have a plan. Create a timeline for how you want your night to go, and stick to it. Decide when you want to start handing out candy and when you want to stop. When you are finished, lock your doors and turn off your porch light. If you've already turned off your light, then there is no reason to answer your door. To be extra safe, close and lock your door between each batch of trick-or-treaters to prevent someone from just walking in.

Keep the lights on. While I did say you should turn off your porch light after the treats are gone, you should keep your interior lights on all night. This shows that someone is home, even if you are gone to take your kids through the crowded neighborhood streets to gather candy. If your home is dark on Halloween, you are inviting in the masked burglars who fit in with the ghoulish crowds.

Secure all doors and windows. Criminals will know that you are mostly focused on your front door on Halloween night, so make sure no one slides into your home through the back door or window by making sure they are all locked before the streets start to flood with costumed kids. If you can, invest in door and window sensors that send alerts to your phone if a door or window is opened.

Report suspicious behavior. It is easy to dismiss suspicious behavior as, "kids being kids" on Halloween night, but don't let that be a deterrent. Call your local police station or 9-1-1 if you see something that doesn't seem right, or is illegal.  

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk Dies After Utah Valley University Shooting

    Charlie Kirk, a popular conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday after being shot during an on-campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.