The arrival of Autumn brings pumpkin spice, apple picking, and other fun fall activities, but also comes with a question for the minds of many homeowners—when should you start decorating for Halloween? While most people wait for the first week of October, there’s really no wrong answer, as long as you don’t mind funny looks from your neighbors in February! There’s also a lot more to the Halloween season for homeowners. Beside decorations, there are trick-or-treaters or hosting parties—if you’re feeling social! Here’s our guide to preparing for spooky season.

Decorate Your Home

From carving pumpkins to hanging fake cobwebs, decorating for Halloween can be lots of fun! Orange or purple lights can create an eerie glow outside your home while also adding helpful light for kids coming around for candy on the big day. Play ominous music from exterior Bluetooth speakers to really set the tone. Local hardware stores typically stock all kinds of fun decorations, too—like skeletons and inflatable ghosts. If you’re going for a friendlier fall vibe, keep the pumpkins, but use leaves, hay bales, and scarecrows to evoke a cozier aesthetic. Just keep in mind that some homeowners associations (HOAs) have rules about decorations.

Goodies for Trick-or-Treaters

For neighborhood kids, the best part of Halloween is likely all the candy! When stocking up, stick to sealed, store-bought treats so it’s clear to kids and parents that the candy is safe to consume. Offering non-treat options to pass out is a thoughtful way to help kids with allergies feel included. Print out a sign or join the teal pumpkin project to let your neighbors know that they should stop by your front door. If your home isn’t decked out with decorations, be sure to turn on an exterior light so it’s obvious that your home is handing out treats.

Homeowner Halloween Safety Tips

As a homeowner, there are lots of little things you can do around the front of your home to help trick-or-treaters stay safe. Before the big night, scan your yard and walkway to your door for tripping hazards. Make sure the walkway to your front door is well-lit. If you’re using a fog machine to make your yard look sinister, make sure the path is still visible. If you have pets, leash or contain them in another part of the house so they’re not an escape risk every time someone knocks.

Be mindful of heat sources and flammable decorations, too. Never leave a lit pumpkin with a real candle unattended, or, better yet, switch to battery-operated candles. Make sure all electronically powered decorations are safely plugged in with surge protectors and are tucked away so they’re not hazardous to pedestrians or your own vehicle as you drive in and out during the season.

Even if you’ve lived in your town for a long time, it’s still a good idea to check whether your city’s rules have changed for Halloween. Most cities have dedicated trick-or-treating time frames or even restrictions on costumes and candy.

Hosting Themed Parties

Have you decided not to hand out candy, but want to get in the Halloween spirit? Consider throwing a party! Invite your guests to dress up, have a costume contest, and play fun Halloween music like “Thriller” and “Monster Mash.” Adults-only parties are a great opportunity to host a murder mystery game and offer an alcoholic witches brew. Alternatively, play Halloween-themed movies—even if they’re on only as ambient noise while guests mingle. No matter how you spend your Halloween, we hope you have a fun and safe evening!