Halloween Safety
Whether dressed up as a pirate, dinosaur or a fairy princess, Halloween can be one of the most exciting and magical days of the year for your child. For most children, the concept of dressing up in a crazy costume and receiving tons of free candy is beyond thrilling. While we may enjoy it just as much as our kids, as parents, we want to make sure Halloween always remains filled with happy and safe memories.
Practice these Halloween safety tips to ensure that you and your kids have a great holiday:
Plan your safe route ahead of time. Make sure you are leading your kids through populated and well-lit areas.
Trick-or-Treat in groups rather than allowing your child to travel alone. Make sure at least one responsible adult is with your group of Trick-or-Treaters.
Reflectors and flashlights are a must for your children to carry and have attached to their costumes. This increases the likelihood that a driver will see your child. Additionally, always walk on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic. This not only allows drivers to see your party more easily, but also enables you to detect danger much faster. Make sure to pay special attention to crosswalks and intersections. Never assume that a driver can see your child.
Remember to tell your kids about Stranger Danger and be sure they understand that it means more than not talking to strangers. Tell your kids never to enter the home or car of anyone they don�t know.
Check the candy when you get home and make sure nobody eats any until after it has been inspected. While checking, look for the following:
- Old worn wrappers
- Torn wrappers (even with the smallest hole like a needle hole)
- Homemade treats
- Unwrapped treats
- Toys with small parts that may be a choking hazard
- Fruit
- Money (change)
- ANY candy that looks like it may have been tampered with
- For small children, remove any hard candies
- Lickable stamps
- Glass or sharp objects
Consider some new ways to trick-or-treating and take your kids to a local community center, library or church offering a Halloween program. These places give out free candy and often have games and prizes for children. By spending Halloween here instead of in the neighborhood, you eliminate multiple safety risks.