To many Americans, Halloween revolves around candy. Yes, there are many traditions associated with Halloween but if you’re a child in America, the prospect of free candy would mean everything to you. This makes trick-or-treating a very popular Halloween activity both in Hartford and all over the country. Your tenants have a couple of choices when celebrating the evening. They may plan to go trick-or-treating by going out or they may stay home and receive costumed guests for candies. Either way, they still need to go through some important steps to ensure the evening is a safe and enjoyable one for all. Now, as a property owner, regular tenant communication is crucial. So, you can use this holiday to continue interacting with them by giving them tidbits like trick-or-treating safety tips.
The first thing we’ll take up are a few simple safety rules that should be followed should your tenants choose to go out trick-or-treating. Something you could do is suggest to your tenants to use reflective tape on costumes or carry flashlights to help improve visibility while walking down dark streets. It would also be beneficial to give some good advice about costumes. Avoid masks that obstruct your vision and skip the oversized shoes, robes, or skirts that could cause someone to trip and fall. Tell your tenants to secure all doors, douse any candles, and turn off all electronic decorations when leaving the house. Because, if left unattended, candles and electric decorations pose a risk. They are one of the leading causes of residential fires on Halloween.
The second thing we’ll take up is about receiving the guests. Properly preparing for visitors is also a big part of celebrating Halloween. Being the property owner, you can help by doing regular landscaping maintenance or ensuring that your tenants have done so. One thing you can do, before receiving the costume-clad visitors, is to clear away overgrowth, low-hanging branches, and other potential hazards
Suggest to your tenants that they can help make the celebration more pleasant for the children by clearing leaves and debris from sidewalks, driveways, and walkways, as well as removing any tripping hazards like garden hoses. It would also be smart to check the property’s exterior lights and replace burned-out bulbs if there are any. As you check the lights, look around for any dark areas around the property. These should ideally be illuminated with extra light sources, such as landscaping lights or even battery-powered tea lights in decorative bags. A clear and well-lit walkway is a safe walkway.
If your tenant has plans to display jack o’ lanterns, then it would be good to make sure they do it safely. Here are some tips you should tell them to consider. First, see to it that doorways and walkways are free of candles and other hazards. Better yet, your tenants could use lighting sources that do not require an open flame. However, if your tenant really wants to use candles in their decorating, then suggest a safe location. Make sure that it’s placed at a safe distance from where visitors might be walking or standing. It is also vital that all exterior decorations your tenant hangs up are properly secured. If a decorative item falls and injures a visitor, or maybe an improperly placed candle was to tip over and burn someone or start a fire, you’d have a disaster on your hands. This could result in, among others, a lawsuit against you as the property owner.
There are other measures your tenant can take to prevent accidents and injuries on Halloween. If your tenant has pets and plans to give out candy on Halloween, they should be sure to keep their furry friends indoors and secured in a safe location. It’s what’s best for the pet during this time. This measure sees to it that nobody gets hurt because a dog was stressed out by strangers. Additionally, the last thing you’d want to happen to you is to get sued because your tenant’s dog injured someone.
Your tenants should also know what items are considered safe and appropriate for trick-or-treaters of all ages. Normally, store-bought, individually wrapped items are advised. But see to it that they are big enough to not pose as a choking hazard. In some areas, an alternative is to leave a bowl of treats outside. This is a good option if your tenant is not planning to hand out candies themselves. This gesture helps your rental property not be the target of Halloween pranks and vandalism. Not to mention how the kids will be delighted when they see the candy.
While educating your tenants is a critical responsibility that rental property owners must take on, it also takes time. Now, since there are so many things about your real estate investing business that require your time and attention, it might make sense to hire a Hartford property manager. Real Property Management Greater Milwaukee is an expert in the industry, providing services that allow you to spend your time on more valuable aspects of rental property ownership. To know more about what we have to offer property owners like yourself, please contact us online or give us a ring at 262-309-6961.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
