It’s officially spooky season, and that means you may be gearing up to embrace all things ghoulish with your outdoor decor.

But while this time of year is known for its fantastical and frightening vibe, you want to keep the scares fun and harmless for both you and any visitors you may have. That’s why it’s essential to follow these tips to help protect your home and the well-being of others and safeguard you against potential liability issues this Halloween.

Light your property

While proper outdoor lighting is important throughout the year, it’s perhaps even more vital this season thanks to the influx of people, from party guests to trick-or-treaters, walking up to your front door. To make the trek safer, check that your front porch light is working, and consider installing solar-powered lights along your walkways and small lights on the edges of any steps. These actions can help prevent trips, slips, and falls, all common incidents that could lead to costly injuries and liability claims.

Check steps and railings

Speaking of steps, make sure to inspect them along with your railings to verify that they’re sturdy and in good condition. Check for loose or broken components that could lead to falls and other injuries. If you notice any issues, make repairs ASAP, and consider placing friction tape on the edges of steps to help in case of rainy conditions.

Be careful with decorations

As fun and festive as they are, not all Halloween decorations are necessarily safe, requiring you to be mindful as you put them out. For example, jack-o’-lanterns are a must-have for your front porch, but they also pose a significant fire risk when illuminated with real candles and placed near dry leaves, paper decorations, or wooden structures. To reduce the potential of fire-related accidents and costly damages, opt for battery-operated candles or LED lights instead, which can provide the same eerie effect without the hazard.

Similarly, choose flame-resistant items when choosing your other decorations as well, being sure to avoid items like dried flowers, cornstalks, and fake spiderwebs since they’re highly flammable. And never place any piece near heat sources or electrical outlets that could potentially cause it to ignite, and be careful not to overload your outlets.

Walk your property

When you’re done transforming your home into a spooky delight, take the time to walk around it, looking for any additional hazards you may have missed or perhaps even created during the decorating process. Imagine you’re a guest coming to your property for the first time— what could cause an injury to someone unfamiliar with it or distracted by the festive excitement? Uneven walkways, poorly placed decorations, and loose cords can increase the risk of trips and falls, while small decorative items can be choking hazards to small children. By identifying and mitigating these risks beforehand, you can help avoid any potential issues and the subsequent headaches that could come with them.

Halloween should be a season of fun, not a time of worry. By taking these steps, you can better protect yourself and visitors this season. If you have any concerns about your liability coverage in the event of potential accidents on your property and damage to your home, consider reaching out to a qualified agent to review your homeowners insurance policy and make sure it meets your needs.