On the cusp Halloween, we caught up with Christina Burch, content marketing specialist at AppFolio, to hear some of her top tips that property managers should keep in mind as they prepare for Tuesday’s festivities to ensure trick-or-treaters’ and tenants’ safety.
What are some the top property hazards that can occur during Halloween?
Christina Burch: While it’s meant to be a fun holiday, Halloween night is actually full of potential accidents waiting to happen – and property managers need to be aware of them and make their tenants aware of them in order to prevent those hazards. These hazards include everything from fires to people tripping and falling in the dark. They might sound extreme, but both can happen so easily, especially as festivities and all of the environmental stimulation on Halloween night sometimes makes it harder for people to notice their surroundings. Halloween also leaves a little more room for security lapses as people are often leaving front doors unlocked for trick-or-treaters.
How should property managers prepare tenants for Halloween?
CB: A day or so before Halloween, they should send out a bulk email to all tenants with a few tips to help keep everything in check. To prevent break-ins, request that tenants double-check their door locks to make sure they are still working properly. If units have a no candle policy, take the opportunity to remind tenants of that. If you allow candles, perhaps it’s a good idea to suggest to tenants that they use flameless candles to cut down on fire risks – if you provide them for tenants, that’s even better. Another potential fire hazard are radiators. Send a reminder out to tenants with radiators to keep the surrounding areas clear of flammable decorative materials. If the unit is a larger building, be sure to provide tenants with specific trick-or-treating hours to avoid noise disruption in later hours.
What are some top prep tips for property managers to take into account?
CB: Property managers have a responsibility to check all smoke detectors and replace batteries, if needed, to make sure that they are working. You can’t be too safe when it comes to fire. Also be sure to look out for any potential fire hazards outside of tenants’ units – like a jack-o-lantern that sits too close to decorative material.
To ensure no break-ins occur, property managers can also take extra steps to make sure their empty units look like they are occupied, either by adding a piece of decoration to the front or by keeping the unit/building well-lit outside.
Speaking of lighting, property managers also have a responsibility to keep trick-or-treaters safe while they are on their property, not just tenants. They can do so by providing adequate lighting and keeping the paths well-lit. If there isn’t much outdoor lighting, purchase a few flood lamps directed at some of the pathways – an easy fix for darkness. Lighting aside, property managers must also ensure that footpaths are clear of hazardous objects for trick-or-treaters. If needed, ask tenants to remove bikes or cars from areas that will serve for increased foot traffic.
Any additional thoughts?
CB: For larger buildings or complexes, make sure to have someone on site to oversee activities (with a first aid kit), just in the event an accident, minor or large, ever occurred. You can never be too careful, and not doing any prep for Halloween is extremely risky as there are instances in which a property management company could be held liable for a child’s injures on their property.