Trick-or-Treaters Beware: 5 Tips for Staying Safe on Halloween

Going trick or treating on Halloween is an important tradition for most children, but it is also vital to take steps to ensure that your kids will stay safe throughout the experience. Fortunately, if you take the time to prepare in advance, you should be able to give your children a fun memory that is not hindered by anything negative.

Five Tips for Keeping Your Children Safe on Halloween

1. Carefully Select the Area You Visit. Some parents choose to take their children trick-or-treating in an area other than their own neighborhood. There are several reasons to do this, including safety and the number of houses that typically participate in the annual candy giveaway. Therefore, you should consider your options in advance so that you choose a neighborhood that is well-lit to help prevent falls and accidents and that has a low crime ratio. If you are new to the area, you should be able to get crime statistics by contacting the local police department.

2. Remain Alert for Drivers. Although most people think about children trick-or-treating on Halloween, the holiday has also become a major day for adults going to bars and parties. Therefore, you need to remain alert at all times for drivers who might be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Additionally, you should take steps to protect yourself if you decide to go out with your adult friends after trick-or-treating.

3. Inspect All of the Candy. Many areas have candy scanning stations that you can utilize to look for any dangerous objects. However, if you are not able to do this, you should carefully sort through all of the candy and remove any items that are unwrapped or partially opened. It is also important to throw away small pieces of candy that pose a choking hazard for young children.

4. Use a Flashlight. Most children dislike the idea of altering their costume to make it easier for motorists to see them, but it is a good idea to put reflective tape on their candy bags and at least one portion of their outfit. Additionally, you should always carry a flashlight and make sure that it is turned on because this will help capture the attention of people who are driving by.

5. Select Flame Retardant Costumes. Although flameless candles are becoming increasingly popular, you are still going to encounter several jack o’lanterns that have actual flames inside of them. Because of this, you should always use costumes that are flame retardant, and you should also avoid adding anything to a costume that could make it easier to catch on fire.

As long as you follow these safety tips and rely on common sense to judge any potentially dangerous situations, you should have no problem keeping your children safe so that they can enjoy Halloween. However, if you do encounter any issues, make sure that you contact the appropriate authorities immediately.

Freelance writer Nadine Swayne knows how much fun Halloween can be for kids and “big” kids alike. Remember, enjoy dressing up and be safe!

Photo credit: https://flic.kr/p/6dduT