Halloween Safety Tips for Seniors | Home Care Beverly-Browns Mill-Bordentown NJ

Halloween can be a fun night for seniors who enjoy seeing lively children in a wide array of amusing costumes. For many seniors, however, the masked visitors and constant knocking on the door can be unnerving and frightening as the night wears on. Many older people live alone, and most of these are women, so it's wise to be prepared for the ghosts, goblins, princesses, superheros, and zombies who will be wandering the neighborhood—regardless if the seniors participate in passing out candy or not. These tips can help.

Tips if you ARE accepting trick-or-treaters:

• Don't allow any trick-or-treater or their companions into your home if you don't know them; no restroom break, no phone calls, etc.
• Stay in your home when passing out candy
• Keep your home's porch, entry way, and sidewalk clear of obstacles and/or decorations that could cause an accident
• Don't place flame-lit candles in jack-o-lanterns or other decorations as this poses a fire hazard; use battery operated candles
• Turn on porch lights and keep the trick-or-treaters' path well-lit
• Don't play spooky or other music outside; keep noise down to remain aware of the surroundings
• Keep any carved pumpkins outside to avoid smell and bugs in the home
• Greet the children with a smile and in a friendly manner; don't be grouchy or negative
• If you're only comfortable passing out candy while it's still light, post a sign in your yard letting trick-or-treaters know your candy-passing-out hours
• Keep pets in another room before opening the door
• Let Visiting Angels send a "Halloween Greeter" to your home on Halloween night.

Our home care Angels can open the door and pass out candy while you have the fun of seeing your costumed visitors; our Angels will provide peace of mind while letting others know you're not alone

Tips if you ARE NOT accepting trick-or-treaters:

• While turning ON your porch light is the universal symbol of "this home is giving out candy," a dark home may be a signal to vandals that no one is home; use your discretion based on your neighborhood whether to leave a light on or not
• Consider placing candy on your porch, rather than giving it out yourself, with a sign that says, "Happy Halloween! One candy per person, please" (if you do this option, leave your porch light on)
• Also consider giving candy to your neighbors to pass out for you; if you do this, place a sign on your door that states "Candy for this home is being given out next door"
• To avoid being home during trick-or-treat hours, plan a get-together with friends or family
• If you enjoy seeing children in costumes, but don't want to pass out candy, check out your local senior center, library, shopping mall, community center, house of worship, etc. for community activities in which to participate
• Never leave a person who has dementia or physical limitations at home by themselves on Halloween as they may be sensitive to noises/unfamiliar faces