6 Halloween Safety Tips For Trick or Treaters

Posted by Christie in Halloween on Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

Halloween is not what it used to be. When I was a little girl, I could go with my friends to neighbors houses and around the community without any worries or fears; however, sadly those days seem to be gone. 

As parents now, we have so many different concerns associated with taking our kids trick or treating. I wanted to share with you some ideas to help you and your kids make sure that your trick or treating is as fun and as safe as possible. 

♦ The first rule should always be that young children have an older adult or parent with them at all times to ensure that they follow safety rules and stay out of harm’s way on roads and sidewalks. Older children should lay out a plan with their parents that details what houses that they are planning on visiting or at least what neighborhoods they will go to. 

♦ Try to stay away from houses where you or children are not familiar with the residents. Creating a list of friends, family, and neighbors that you plan to visit may help you make the most of your time and ensure it is safe. 

♦ Keep in mind that if a house does not have its front porch light on, it normally means that they are not handing out treats, so stay clear of them. Also, parents, keep in mind that several states have adopted regulations for sexual predators that they must stay home and not turn lights on or accept any trick or treaters on Halloween. Check to see if your state is one of them for added peace of mind while trick or treating.

♦ Try to find community events or inside trick or treating activities where you and your family will not have to fight traffic, weather, or as many saftey concerns. Many communities hold these at shopping malls, churches, zoos, parks, schools, and community centers. You can contact your local Chamber of Commerce for a listing of events in your area. 

♦ If you are trick or treating outside, be sure to use sidewalks and not run across yards or roads to reduce risks of injuries. Also make sure that your child’s costume is safe. Check out my blog post from last week with suggestions on choosing safe Halloween costumes for your kids.

♦ Parents, make sure that you inspect children’s candy bags very carefully before allowing them to consume any of their treats. Any candy that is open should be immediately thrown away to protect kids’ safety.

Halloween, can still be a fun family evening, even in a world with increasing concerns for parents.  Following these simple guidelines will help ensure that you and your children enjoy this Halloween. I hope that the only scares you have this Friday will be from a haunted house or a scary mask and not an injury or accident. 

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween Everyone!



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