To most Americans, the holiday of Halloween means candy. For many of them, especially the kids, the most popular Halloween activity would be trick-or-treating. And this is true for virtually the whole country, including in Pleasanton. No matter how your tenants want to participate in the festivities— either by trick-or-treating by going out or by receiving costumed guests for candies, there are some important things they have to go through to make sure the evening is a safe and enjoyable one for all. Now, as a property owner, regular tenant communication is not only expected, it’s encouraged. And with Halloween around the corner, giving trick-or-treating safety tips is a good way to keep the communication going.
First, should your tenants choose to go out trick-or-treating, there are a few simple safety rules that they should stick to. A safety tip you can give your tenants is for them 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. Encourage your tenants to secure all doors, douse any candles, and turn off all electronic decorations when they leave the house. This is because of the risk that comes with unattended candles and electric decorations. These are actually one of the leading causes of residential fires on Halloween.
The second thing we’re going to look at is how to properly prepare for visitors. This subject is also a part of Halloween that shouldn’t be neglected. As the property owner, you can begin with regular landscaping maintenance or ensuring that your tenants have done so. Clearing away overgrowth, low-hanging branches, and other potential hazards are something you could do before the holiday.
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’s also a good idea to confirm if the property’s exterior lights are all in order or if you need to replace any burned-out bulbs. 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 plans to get with the spirit of the holiday by placing jack o’ lanterns around the house, you have to make sure they do it safely. Here are a couple of tips you could give to them. First, keep doorways and walkways free of candles and other hazards. There are also alternative lighting sources that do not require an open flame. You should encourage your tenants to opt for that. However, some tenants want to go traditional and use real candles in their decorating. In this case, make sure that they are placed at a safe distance from where visitors might be walking or standing. It is also crucial that all exterior decorations your tenant hangs up are properly secured. Should a decorative item fall and injure a visitor, or perhaps an improperly placed candle burn someone or start a fire, this could result in a lawsuit against you as the property owner.
There are some additional things your tenant can do 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 best for the sake of your pet. Doing this ensures that nobody gets hurt because some strangers stressed out a dog. Also, imagine getting sued because your tenant’s dog injured someone. That’s probably the last thing you’d want.
Your tenants should also be advised which 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 neighborhoods, you can leave a bowl of treats outside. This is really smart especially if your tenant is not planning to hand out candies themselves. This act helps keep your rental property from becoming the target of Halloween pranks and vandalism. On top of that, the kids would thank you!
While educating your tenants is a critical responsibility that rental property owners must take on, it also takes time. Since your real estate investing business has so many responsibilities that call for your attention, it might make sense to hire a Pleasanton property manager. Real Property Management One is an expert in the industry, providing services that allow you to spend your time on more valuable aspects of rental property ownership. Don’t hesitate to contact us online or give us a ring at 925-495-4953 to know more about what we have to offer property owners like yourself.
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.
