Halloween is a long-awaited holiday by children every year. As a parent, Halloween can be a stressful time for ensuring safety when participating in the festivities. This is an especially important time for parents and children to pay extra attention to their surroundings and not let their guard down. Check out these tips to guarantee a fun and relaxing Halloween night for both you and your children.
- Choose safe costumes:
- Use reflective tape, stickers and light colors on costumes and bags so that children are easily seen in the dark.
- Choose face paint instead of masks, so that children’s line of vision is not obstructed.
- Carry glow sticks and flashlights so that children do not run into obstacles or fall and can be seen by drivers.
- Prevent capes and extra-cloth on costumes from tripping hazards by making sure they are tailored to the specific fit of your child.
- Discuss pedestrian safety rules with your child:
- Ensure children are always using sidewalks or paths. If they are not present, walk facing traffic as far left as possible.
- Only cross streets at designated areas: corners, traffic signals and crosswalks.
- Never approach vehicles that are distributing candy.
- Make looking left and right before crossing the street a habit.
- Watch for cars that are turning or backing up and make eye contact with drivers as you and your children cross their pathway.
- Other Safety Tips:
- Children should always be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Older children should always travel in groups.
- Always walk your child to the door and never let them receive treats from inside the home.
- Make sure your child knows their home phone number and address in case you get separated. Additionally, teach children how to dial 911 in case of an emergency.
- Teach children the importance of saying “no” to strangers and to use a loud voice and resistance techniques, such as kicking or screaming, if someone tries to coerce them into leaving a designated area.
- Plan on trick-or-treating in neighborhoods that are familiar to your child with well-lit streets. Avoid homes that are poorly lit or isolated.
- Consider organizing a group or neighborhood party with festivities as an alternate to “trick-or-treating”.
