Halloween Safety Tips

Posted on October 27, 2021February 19, 2026 by sarah

Halloween Safety Tips

As families begin to prepare for a Halloween of fun and sweets, it is important to remember valuable safety and security considerations. Statistics show an average 50% increase in violent crime, burglaries, theft and vandalism on Halloween. Also, alcohol and drug related crimes tend to surge during the holiday.

Here are Samaritan’s top tips and tricks for ensuring a safe, secure and fun Halloween:

Child Safety

Visibility is severely limited after sunset. Ensure children wear bright or reflective clothing or additions to their costumes. It is also a good practice to carry a flashlight, glowstick or other illuminating device that will be visible to motorized traffic.
Check all items received. Avoid anything that appears to be homemade and without a protective factory packaging (brownies, fruit, cakes, etc.). When in doubt of where an item came from, throw it out.
Use the “Buddy System”. Children should trick-or-treat in groups, pairs or under the supervision of a parent or guardian. Stick to lit and known sidewalks and avoid unlit areas such as alleys.
If your child has a cell phone, consider installing a family GPS tracking app. This will allow parents and guardians to have near real time view of where their children are in the neighborhood. There are numerous free, low cost and easy to use apps such as Life360, FamiGuard, Find My Kids and more.
Teach children to be mindful of their surroundings and the activities of others. They should be reminded to keep an eye out for anyone following them, erratic drivers and to not enter into a stranger’s home or vehicle. If they feel unsafe or uncomfortable with a situation, seek help immediately.

Home Safety

An illuminated home implies that it is occupied. Turning interior and exterior lights on is a powerful deterrent to vandals, pranksters and those wishing to use the cover of darkness for nefarious reasons. If you have a lighted sidewalk or security lights, this can also aid in preventing trick-or-treaters from trips and falls. If you will not be home on Halloween night, consider installing a timer device on some lights to automatically turn on at a predetermined time.
Ensure exterior doors and windows are locked, including garage entrances. Most criminals will attempt the path of least resistance in order to achieve their goals. Do not make it easy for them by leaving a door or window unsecured.
If your home has a garage, consider parking your vehicle inside for the evening. This reduces your vehicle’s chances of being targeted for vandalism or accidentally damaged. Don’t forget to lock your vehicle too.
Ensure your home alarm system is working properly and family members know how to use it, including the panic setting. Systems with CCTV cameras should be checked to verify the cameras are active and recording as designed. Do not forget to rearm your security system at the end of the night.
Be on the lookout for suspicious activities that are out of place. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Maintain awareness of loiters and unfamiliar vehicles and persons in your neighborhood. Report any suspicious personnel or activities to your local law enforcement agency.

Contact Samaritan Protective Services today for a free consultation. We provide security solutions for you!

Residential Security: More Than Just Preparing For Unwelcome Guests

Posted on October 4, 2021November 5, 2025 by sarah

Residential Security: More Than Just Preparing For Unwelcome Guests

As professional risk management consultants, we are often tasked with estate security for clients. This can range from providing a risk assessment and recommendations to providing comprehensive solutions for the property and those residing there. This can be both a daunting and thankless job for those new to residential/estate security. It is quite different from the mobile assignments we all love, but just as important to the protection of a Principal and their family.

When conducting assessments, some Executive Protection personnel immediately focus in on preventing outside threats such as intruders, stalkers, paparazzi and the like. While this is important (it might be the compelling reason we were retained), it is not the limit of our concerns. We must take a holistic approach to security and “all-hazards management”. Our charge as protection specialists is, well, to protect….from anything that could affect the wellbeing of our client.

In addition to physical security, passive measures such as CCTV or remote monitoring, consider the following vulnerabilities when assessing a residential environment:

Fire Prevention – A home fire is a very dangerous and costly incident that can be mitigated to an extent, with the proper planning and resources. Does the home have active and serviceable fire detectors? Are the fire detectors merely to alert residents of fire/smoke or are they tied in with the security system that is monitored for response? Given the large size of some estates, some have opted to install automated water sprinkler systems. Depending on the materials the structure was built with and size, this might be an added value. Are other adequate fire suppression devices, like extinguishers in the home? Vulnerable areas such as garages, kitchens, workshops and basements should have quick access to a fire extinguisher.

Also take into consideration things in the home that can be a fire hazard. Are there fireplaces that need cleaning or maintained? Are there tapestries, drapes or other flammable items that pose a hazard?

Carbon Monoxide – Carbon monoxide is a scentless and tasteless gas that prevents oxygen from being retained in red blood cells, causing tissue and brain damage as well as leading to death if not properly treated. Broken items in the home such as a furnace can leak carbon monoxide and lead to tragedies. Some fire detectors come equipped with carbon monoxide detectors as well. This is something to think about while addressing fire mitigation solutions.

Estate Maintenance – While not typically at the forefront of a protection specialists mind, the overall maintenance of the property and structures on it are of concern to us. Has a recent storm caused damage to the roof, security gates or backup generators? Is the home older, requiring renovation or eradication of a mold problem. Does the property have sufficient lighting during hours of darkness? Don’t be afraid to ask these questions to the Estate Manager or other responsible party. Large residences require significant upkeep and maintenance. Just like with any home, small issues can grow into larger ones as time progresses.

Vehicles – We are typically tasked with driving a Principal, possibly in their vehicle. Have we determined that maintenance is up to par? Are there potential recalls that could affect the safety of the vehicle(s) in question?

Locks – More in line with typical physical security concerns, locks (door, gate, garage, etc) pose a significant challenge to ensuring the security of the residence. Do all locks and keys work correctly? Do any lock mechanisms jam or have they been damaged by weather or other means?

An estate requires different people and staff to run effectively. When personnel resign or are terminated from their positions (security personnel included), are locks and gate combinations changed? Any combination should be changed at regular intervals to enhance security. While inconvenient at times, it can be a powerful means of keeping the good guys in and the bad guys out.