Halloween is a fun time for many of us who celebrate it -- fun costumes, fun parties, trick or treating, and more! Here are some tips you should try to adhere to to ensure everyone's safety while out and about. Ensure your kids know your rules before leaving the house!
Pumpkin Carving Safety:
- Allow little kids to help draw/paint pumpkins, but do not let them carve the pumpkin
- Consider glowsticks or flameless candles inside of your pumpkin, instead of real candles
Costume Safety:
- Masks are fun, but make sure your child can BREATHE and SEE
- If possible, ensure the costume you just purchased is fire-resistant -- you never know!
- Tape some reflective tape to the costume or bags if they'll be out after dark
- If your child has any props, ensure they aren't too sharp or breakable
- Ensure the costume is the right size for your kid -- too big and they'll trip on it!
- Test Halloween makeup in a small area of the skin first, to ensure there's no reaction/irritation. Be sure to wash it all off before bed!
- Avoid the use of decorative contact lenses
Trick-or-treating Safety:
- Use crosswalks and look both ways when crossing the street
- Don't look at your phone/devices while walking, keep your head up and eyes alert
- Walk on sidewalks and designated paths, if available
- Stick to areas that are well-lit
- Ensure a responsible older sibling or trusted adult is with your younger trick-or-treaters at all times
- Ensure your children know that they should never enter stranger's homes or cars
- Wear glow stick bracelets and necklaces for added visual (get packs for $1.25 at Dollar Tree!)
- Only go to homes with a porch light on
Candy Safety:
- If your child has a food allergy, make sure they know they are not to open any candy until they get home
- Inspect candy prior to letting your kids enjoy -- check for pin-prick holes, open wrappers, homemade goods, etc.
- Watch for choking hazards -- don't let kids stuff their mouths full.
- Ration the candy. Let your kids know that you will keep it all in a safe spot, and make a plan to let them know when they can have a treat.
- Brush your teeth! Ensure your kids are keeping away the sugar bugs (aka cavities) by brushing well every morning and night. We always have our kids gurgle and drink water after candy, for good measure.
Traveling Safety:
- Ensure you are using your vehicle lights, driving slowly, and being overly aware of your surroundings. All it takes is one trip off of the sidewalk for an accident to happen!
- Do not use your phone while driving
- Enter and exit driveways and parking lots safely and slowly
Decoration & Home Safety:
- If you are using candles inside of your jack-o-lanterns or other decor, be sure that they aren't in a place to catch fire and be sure to blow them out at the end of the night
- Ensure yard decor, props, and inflatable tie-out lines are out of the walk paths, so that no one trips
- Ensure your outdoor lighting is in good working order
- Ensure pets are kept restrained and unable to run out your door. Even if they are friendly, children may be afraid or allergic.
Find even more Halloween Safety from: HealthyChildren.org, the National Safety Council, and SafeKids.org.
