Halloween Dos and Don'ts with Kids

We love Halloween and the spooky fun that comes along with the holiday! However, there are some safety risks that come along with the festivities. As the Halloween season approaches, it’s important to think about some basic precautions to have a safe and fun Halloween night!  There’s no need to stress, with some simple planning your family is sure to have a fun and safe evening. 

Pumpkins: 

• Consider alternatives to carving. Decorate with markers, paint, or stickers. If you do decide to carve, make sure an adult is present and handling knives and other sharp objects. 
• Use candles carefully. Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on sturdy surfaces and kept away from flammable objects, like curtains. Try lighting pumpkins with flashlights, glow sticks, or battery-operated candles. 

Costumes: 

• Try using costumes with bright colors. Reflective tape can be used on costumes and treat bags for visibility when trick-or-treating at night. 
• Plan for the weather. If it is going to be cooler outside, make sure your child’s costume will be warm enough or loose enough for warm clothing to be worn underneath. 
• Costumes should be well-fitting so your child does not trip. 
• Think ahead about masks and makeup. Make sure masks do not obstruct your child’s vision, especially if it slips. Use natural or non-toxic makeup. Test makeup or face paint by applying a small patch to your child’s skin a few days before trick-or-treating.
• Limit accessories your child will be carrying. Carrying too many items can cause your child to trip. 

Trick-or-Treating:

• Younger trick-or-treaters should be accompanied by an adult. Encourage older kids to trick-or-treat with friends, older siblings, or parents. Ensure someone in the group has a flashlight with fresh batteries. 
• Pin a piece of paper with your child’s name, address, and phone number inside your child’s costume in case they get separated. 
• Review safety rules with your children: including staying with their group, only walking on sidewalks, approaching clearly lit homes, and never going inside a car or home for treats. 
• Plan familiar routes and set a curfew. If possible, have your child carry a cellphone. 
• Feed your child an early meal to help stop your children from snacking while trick-or-treating. 
• Inspect treats before your child eats them. Discard any treats that are not sealed, have torn packaging or look questionable. 
• Do not allow your children to have homemade treats, unless you know the person giving the homemade treat and feel comfortable allowing your child to eat the treat. 
• If your child has food allergies be sure to check candy labels carefully. 
• Ration the amount of treats your child eats. You don’t want your child eating too many sweets and making themselves sick. 
• If you’ll be driving, be sure to watch for children crossing the street. Be especially careful when entering and leaving driveways. 

Doing some simple planning ahead before heading out for trick-or-treating can allow your family to enjoy Halloween without the stress or worry of safety. While your child is unlikely to get hurt or be harmed, it’s important to have a plan and discuss how to stay safe.