Important Safety Tips for Halloween

Your children are amped and ready for another exciting Halloween night. They have selected a costume and are ready to stockpile all the candy they will gather from neighbors. Before they leave the house, here are a few safety tips you need to review with them.

The Most Important Tip

Review with children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they ever have an emergency or become lost.

Start Before It’s Pitch Black Outside

It’s a good idea to start your trick-or-treating just before dusk, especially with toddlers. You will be able to keep better track of your children which reduces your stress levels. Another advantage is that you’ll have a better view of the other children and adults in the area. If your kids give you any trouble about this one, just assure them that the first person there will have the best selection of candy!

Choose Face Paint over Masks

Masks are notorious for causing vision problems. When possible, recreate the mask with face paint to allow your child to see where they are going. Also, they won’t have to lift their mask to breaths or have a conversation with someone. If a mask is the only option, then make sure it is snug and has large eye holes.

Avoid Being the Invisible Man

Choose brightly colored costumes whenever possible. This makes it easier for others to see your child as it gets darker outside. If a dark costume is the only option, then have your child wear a glow necklace and/or carry glow sticks. Another great option is to attach reflective tape strips to their costume.

Adult Supervision

Children 12 and under should have an adult with them at all times while trick or treating. Some groups of trick-or-treaters can get very large making it hard for one parent to keep track of all the kids. We recommend 1 adult for every 5 children in the group to keep the stress level down and fun level at an all-time high.

The Right of Way

Make sure your children know not to assume they have the right away when crossing the street, especially on Halloween night. Encourage them to use the designated crosswalks and to stop and look both ways before crossing the street.

Don’t Go Inside

Make sure your trick-or-treaters are clear that they should never enter a home or vehicle to get candy even if they know the person that invites them to “come in”. They should politely decline the offer, quickly leave the area, and inform an adult of the encounter.

No Shortcuts

Kids love to run through alley ways and backyards to beat their friends to the next house without considering the dangers. The wrong shortcut could result in serious injury, child abduction, or mis-identification by a concerned homeowner. Be sure to talk to your child about staying on streets that are well lit and neighborhoods where there is plenty of foot traffic.

Inspect It Before You Eat It

Talk to your children and let them know that their are 3 distinct phases to trick-or-treating:

1. Gathering the candy.
2. Inspecting the candy.
3. Eating the candy.

These must be done in order! Since children will always be tempted by candy, you should send them out with a small bag of “safe” candy that you pack for them. This allows them to enjoy some candy with their friends during the gathering phase.