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Most UK homeowners don’t like Halloween – here’s how to avoid it

Posted 30 October 2015 by Keith Osborne

A survey discovers that we Brits would rather keep the front door of our home shut than join the fun of trick-or-treating...

With every passing year, it seems the UK is embracing Halloween celebrations with more and more gusto – but a new survey of UK homeowners suggests that most don’t like the trick-or-treat tradition

While children and grown-ups alike don their spookiest costumes and go around their neighbourhood after some sweet treats, most of those left at home would rather be left alone than join in the fun, according to figures from online estate agency eMoov.co.uk.

Its survey of over 1,000 UK homeowners saw 72% of respondents stating that they would not be opening the door to trick-or-treaters this Halloween. Most of the 39% who said it was simply because they didn’t like Halloween were aged 45 or above. But with security also a factor for many, it is surprising that the largest number of people who said they wouldn’t open the front door because they didn’t feel safe were in the 25-34 age group.

Some 9% of those that said no to Halloween this year did so due to a dislike for children, suggesting that the cuteness of those devilish costumes only goes so far.

“It’s a shame that so many people are against Halloween,” says founder and chief executive officer of eMoov.co.uk, Russell Quirk. “Despite its dark connotations, it is really just a chance for the kids to have a bit of fun. But you can understand why opening the door to strangers can pose a potential safety issue. Funny that it is those at the younger end of the property spectrum that are worried about their safety in the dark, you would think they would be the ones giving as good as they got with a Halloween scare.”

If you don’t want to open your door this Halloween, the eMoov team has some suggestions for you:

  • Don’t light up a pumpkin at the front of your house – it will act as a homing beacon for every trick-or-treater
  • Keep the front of your house in darkness so it look like no-one is at home
  • Put up a note on your door stating clearly that you won’t be taking part
  • Turn up the telly so you won’t hear the doorbell ring [your neighbours might come knocking though – Ed]
  • Most of those taking part don’t want to upset anyone, they just want the goodies, so leave a bowl of sweets for visitors to help themselves from
  • At the end of the day, it’s really just meant to be a bit of fun for the kids. Don’t be rude to them, or you’ll certainly be top of the list for being “tricked”


Now if you are looking to embrace Halloween this year, why not read on and check our article on Spirits potentially living in your home.

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