SPOOKY-FREE SAFETY TIPS FOR TRICK-OR-TREAT
by: Remie Longbrake | published: October 25, 2021
Halloween is a special time of year. I’m appreciative of the season and the treats that come along. As a fan of fall in general, I love the colors, the fall foliage and every so often take part in a Halloween hoot with friends and family. The real joy is seeing neighbors out and about and little ones dressed up in their costumes, occasionally even see a furry friend dressing up to.
When it comes to trick-or-treat there’s precautions to take hold. From candy to strangers, there unfortunately is risk, but the time is for fun. And when we get out and about parents especially should take extra caution.
1. Having the perfect costume
The number one, most important trick-or-treat safety tip: make sure other drivers can see your child. If your trick-or-treater has their heart set on being a stealthy ninja, deck out their costume with glow sticks and fun, light-up necklaces. Let them pick out their glow sticks and necklaces at the store. This can help them get excited about the idea and more likely to wear them.
2. Do a skin test for makeup and face paints
Skin is pretty sensitive, especially on younger children. A few days before, it might be wise to test a small section of the paint that will be used, in order to see if they have a negative reaction. There’s no need to completely paint up their face, just apply a small amount to their skin and wait to see if any redness or skin irritation appears.
3. Explain the sights they could see
For young children, it will be important to explain what they might see before you head out for trick-or-treating. Explain that the costumes may look scary but are just people in masks. You can also equip them with some coping strategies, such as:
- Practice reciting a line they can say in their head like “Everything is okay, it’s just pretend.”
- Bring along their favorite toy or blanket they can hold if they get scared.
- Make it easy for them to find you throughout the night if they want to stop.
4. Walk with your young-ins
It’s good to walk with your kids as they go house to house. If it’s cold out, you’re better to still walk then drive them around. It makes it too hard to see them, especially when it’s dark. If you can’t be there during trick-or-treat, then allow another trusted adult to walk with them, but before you do, ask them how many other kids they will chaperoning. If you have any doubts, tag along.
5. Don’t go inside
Remind your trick-or-treaters that they should never enter a stranger’s house to get Halloween Candy. Even if they can see the candy bowl or other kids go in the house, make sure they know to stay outside.
6. Don’t zig-zag
It’s not uncommon for kids to zig-zag back and forth on the streets. One house on this size, then cross over and hit the next house. However, we should encourage using cross-walks as much as possible, even if you may need to backtrack a little. Driving should use extra caution doing these times, however, they shouldn’t have to watch for kids darting across the street.
7. Watch for choking hazards
Keep children’s trick-or-treating bags with you rather than letting them snack while you drive. This way you can check their bag for candy or toys that may pose as a choking hazard before they put it in their mouth.
8. Read the labels and inspect
Every year we hear about the crazy things people may be trying to sneak into children’s Halloween candy. So, it’s a good idea to go through their candy and look for anything suspicious.
Signs of tampering with Halloween candy may include:
- Candy that’s repackaged into gift bags
- Wrapper discoloration or wear
- Small holes or tears in wrappers
If any of your trick-or-treaters have allergies it’s also important to read their candy’s labels and the candy of anybody they may share with.
9. Say no-thanks to homemade treats
Unless you personally know the person who made the treat, it’s a good rule of thumb is to tell your kids not to accept any homemade treats for strangers. It’s not just about mischief, someone in the home might be ill and if they are preparing treats that’s a good way to spread germs.
10. Make your home safe and bright
It’s tradition to turn on the porch light to those who pass out treats. The porch light certainly should help trick-or-treaters find you and the treats. Try to remember to replace any burned-out porch lights. If you need more lighting, you can use strobe light, colored lights. You should refrain from using candles due to the fire hazard. You can also place reflective tape on the steps.
11. Don’t smoke
Although, it’s your home and your porch, try to not smoke around the kids stopping by. Not only is it rude, by smoke can adversely cause breathing issues, such as asthma. If you must smoke, see if someone else can cover for you or leave the treats on the porch.
12. Don’t let the dogs get out
We all love our furry animals, however, unless you are absolutely sure the dogs will not cause an issue, you should keep them out of sights. It’s not just biting, it’s also tripping kids, jumping, and the dogs getting carried away with all the strange activity, many of which can also stress the animals.
13. Keep a clean yard
Remember, kids don’t always follow the sidewalk right to your door. Even if you’re not going to be home to hand out candy, make sure your yard is free of tripping hazards. This includes any sticks, piles of leaves, and especially yard tools like rakes or extension cords.
Use these tips to have a safe trick-or-treat. Have fun and Happy Halloween!