Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treating

Halloween night is quickly approaching, and your little ghouls and goblins are ready to go out into the night and claim their candy. However, there is a lot to remember before you can enjoy all the things that go bump in the night. Here’s some pointers to make sure everyone has a safe and happy Halloween.

It seems that every year we all go through the A B C’s of Halloween safety. There is nothing like a refresher course to make sure that important things are on your mind and not forgotten. First, experts recommend, in regard to trick-or-treating, that parents and children sit down and plan out a route in advance. This way, the stint around the neighborhood does not turn into complaints of sore legs and general frustration.

It is also recommended that parents and children stick to familiar paths that they know well to avoid the possibility of getting lost. Experts also say it is a good idea to dress the kids, and yourself, in comfy shoes. Other tips include being especially careful around houses that have animals. Make sure the animals are secure before approaching, always ask animal owners before attempting to pet the animal, and remember that children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If your group consists of older kids, make sure they stick together and stay in familiar well-lit areas.

Experts say that you and your trick-or-treaters should also remember the basic rules of crossing the street: look both ways and only cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Also, put all electronic devices down, and keep heads up and alert while walking. Children should be reminded to walk and not run across the street.

Costumes are another big Halloween safety factor that parents should be aware of. Make sure to decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers. Also choose light costume colors, if possible, to make sure that children can be seen. You may wish to choose face paint or make up instead of masks. Masks can obstruct vision and cause breathing problems in some cases. It might also be a good idea to have the kids carry glow sticks or flashlights so that they can easily be seen. One final costume tip is make sure that the selected costume is the right fit to prevent trips and falls.

If you are planning on passing out candy, or just happen to be a bystander this Halloween, there are a few tips for you to follow as well. If driving, make sure to slow down and be alert in residential neighborhoods. Take extra time to look for children at intersections, on medians, and on curbs. Drive slowly and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic, especially between the peak trick-or-treating times of 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. If you are handing out candy this Halloween, make sure that candy is secure and not opened beforehand. Also make sure that your front porch light is on, entrance ways are swept, and pets have been properly restrained. Here’s hoping everyone has a happy, spooky, and safe Halloween night.