Preparing for Halloween in Your HOA Community

Fall is in full swing, and before you know it, Halloween will be here. Kids are seeing costumes and decorations pop up in stores and are likely excited to get started making your home a spooky place. But before you go all out, it’s important to keep in mind some considerations – like your neighbors and the HOA.

The HOA is not trying to put a damper on your fun, but there are probably some guidelines in place when it comes to decorating. For instance, you may not be allowed to have displays that play music (especially continuously) or make sudden loud shrieks or other noises. They can be disturbing to your neighbors and frighten young children or pets. You may also want to be cautious about flashing or bright lights that can be a nuisance. While they may look cool, they can also keep others from sleeping well, especially if they’re shining into bedroom windows.

Be thoughtful about where you place your decorations as well. Avoid blocking the sidewalk or having extension cords or other tripping hazards running across. You want trick-or-treaters to be able to safely walk to your door. Kids are often excited and in a hurry, so they may not be paying as much attention as they should be. Doing your part to keep your walkways and yard safe can help everyone to have a more enjoyable time.

And while dark and spooky may be the theme of Halloween, if you’re handing out candy, you’ll want to keep your porch well-lit when trick-or-treaters stop by. Ensure that they can clearly see where they are going to reduce the risk of accidents. Plus, a darkened home is often an indication that no one is available and to keep moving along.

Here are a few other safety tips to keep in mind as you prepare for Halloween this year:

  • Help your children pick costumes that fit well and that they can comfortably walk and see in. You don’t want them wearing masks or headpieces that obstruct their vision, or pants and dresses that are too long and they could trip over. It can be a good idea to add some reflective tape to their costume too, especially if it is dark in color.
  • Plan ahead for parties and make sure your guests park in approved areas and are not blocking the road or sidewalks. Keep noise levels in mind too so your group doesn’t disturb the whole neighborhood.
  • If you have to go out, drive slowly and be alert for children that may dart out into the street. Remind your children to stay on the sidewalk, cross at street corners, and always look both ways before crossing.

Halloween can be a really fun time and bring neighborhoods together, but it is important that people remain considerate of one another, the safety of the community, and any rules that the HOA has in place. Work together to create an evening that everyone can enjoy.  Partnering with a property management company like Kuester can help your community keep everyone updated on expectations, events, and where to turn if they have questions.

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Bryan Kuester

Bryan Kuester

Bryan is the CEO of Kuester Management Group. He has over 15 years of managing community associations throughout North and South Carolina.

His specialties include Community Association Management - maintenance, budgeting for operational and reserve funding, long-range planning, covenant enforcement, amenity management, onsite management, large scale management.

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