Halloween Safety Tips

It’s that time of year again! The air is getting cooler, the leaves are falling, every food, drink, and candle is pumpkin flavored. Yes, Halloween is right around the corner. Children everywhere look forward to this magical time where they can pretend to be their favorite character or animal, and of course, beg for massive amounts of free candy. Parents, on the other hand, have a little more to worry about, from preparing the perfect costume for their little ones, to trick-or-treating in the dark, and dealing with the sugar highs that inevitably lead to those sugar lows and belly aches. Here are a few tips to help parents keep their Halloween night a smooth as possible.

Costume Safety:

Avoid costume blunders and malfunctions sound silly, but you would be surprised by how many Halloween injuries occur due to a costume. First, make sure the costume fits properly, and that the hemline is the right length for your child to avoid tripping. Have your child wear comfortable shoes fit for walking from house to house whilst carrying a sack full of candy. Masks are not ideal as they can restrict a child’s vision. The best option is to use face paint or have your child put the mask on at each door.

Trick-or-Treating Safety:

Ensure your child’s safety by taking some precautions before, during and after trick-or-treating. Before you start trick-or-treating, plan a route, and stick to it. Have plenty of flashlights and reflectors handy. Be sure that your child understands traffic rules, looks both ways before crossing the street, and stays on the side of the road at all times. Trick-or-treaters should stick to this plan: only go to houses of people you know, such as neighbors and friends, and only those that are safely lit outside. Use the buddy system and go in a group. Parents, please remember to inspect what your kids bring home!