Halloween comes this Monday! Are you ready to welcome trick-or-treaters to your home? Needless to say, the annual occasion is a fun one for kids. However, if you live with an older adult, Halloween can present a scary situation that is a little different than what horror movies generally depict. For the benefit of your elderly loved one, it’s vital to take safety measures in your home all the time. On Halloween night, that goes double.

What are some steps you can take to make Halloween safe for seniors?

Be mindful about your decorations.

Halloween lovers enjoy nothing more than turning their homes into haunted houses. A wide variety of decorations including, but limited to, skeletons, cobwebs, jack-o-lanterns and bats can adorn your home to make it a delight on the big night. However, it’s extremely important that none of your decorations are sharp or heavy. You don’t want your elderly loved one getting injured by coming into contact with any of your frills. As well, you want to prevent tripping hazards.

“Halloween decorations can contribute to safety concerns,” notes at-home care providers, Visiting Angels, “For instance, Jack-O-Lanterns can be a fire hazard if they’re in an area where they can easily be tripped over. In general, you should make sure that tripping hazards are minimal and that all areas are well-lit. Window decorations can also be a problem if they impede visibility, so make sure that your decorations don’t prevent you from seeing who’s on your lawn or at your door.”

Keep your eyes on who is outside.

Do you have a camera set up to view your front porch? It’s a great security feature all throughout the year. You’ll want to pay close attention to it on the 31st. Naturally, you will be expected many costume-wearing young ones to ring your doorbell on Halloween night. Keep a look out to ensure that it is trick-or-treaters at your door. As always, you don’t want to open the door to suspicious characters.

“Look outside before opening the door,” advises FirstLight Home Care, “Even though it’s Halloween, always check to see who is standing outside before answering the door. If it’s a group of unruly teens or a lone adult, you might want to keep the door closed as a safety precaution.”

Coordinate with your neighbours.

Contact your neighbours to discuss your plans for Halloween. Get the scoop on their plans as well. Keeping everyone informed will help you all to maintain safety for your households. If one of your neighbours is hosting a particularly inviting Halloween experience, it will be important to be aware of the additional foot traffic your home may receive. Make plans for your elderly loved one accordingly.

“No one has your back better than a good neighbour,” points out Visiting Angels, “So before Halloween, get together with neighbours and coordinate. If one of your neighbours won’t be at home on Halloween night, make sure that their home is looked out for. If you’re concerned about your safety, consider asking a neighbour to periodically check on your home or even spend the evening with you.”

At LifeCare Mobility Solutions, we would love to help your elderly loved one safely enjoy this Halloween. Learn all about our mobility solutions by calling us at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page. Happy Halloween!