PSA: Trick-or-Treating Halloween Safety Tips
Trick-or-treating is a fun and exciting tradition for many children on Halloween night. However, it also involves some potential risks, such as traffic accidents, food allergies, and strangers. As a parent, you need to make sure your kids have a safe and family friendly experience as trick or treaters.
In this blog post, we’ll share some helpful tips on how to prepare your kids for trick-or-treating and what to do when they come back home. It's that day of the year when strangers go from door to door asking for candy.
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How to make your house safe for trick-or-treaters?
Making a Kid Friendly Halloween Trick or Treating
Making your house safe for trick-or-treaters is a good way to ensure a fun and festive Halloween for everyone. Here are some tips you can follow to keep everyone safe:
- Avoid using real candles in your jack-o-lanterns or other decorations. They can pose a fire hazard or burn curious kids. Use glow sticks or flameless candles instead.
- Keep your porch and walkway well-lit using a porch light and clear of any obstacles or debris. Leaf coverage, trash litter, and pumpkin guts can cause falls and slips.
- Check your sidewalk and driveway for any cracks or holes that could trip visitors. Add hazard cones, chairs, or decorations around any cracks or holes in your walkway.
- Keep your pets away from the door or in another room. Your pets might get scared or excited by face paint, costumes, and noises, and accidently bite or scratch someone.
- Be careful with your stove and oven if you are cooking while handing out candy. Don't leave foods unattended or near flammable items.
- Choose friendly and appropriate decorations that won’t scare or offend young children. Try to avoid anything too gory, realistic, or violent in your Halloween themed decorations.
The Scary Unknown: Urban Legends
We've all heard rumors about razor blades in candy and poisoned candy bars. Even though we hear these things year-after-year, there is no evidence that either actually occurs. If you're still concerned carefully check all packaging and watch your young children while they eat it.
Before Trick-or-Treating
- Choose a safe and comfortable costume for your child. Make sure it fits well, does not obstruct their vision or movement, and is fire-resistant. You can also add some reflective tape or glow-in-the-dark accessories to make them more visible in the dark.
- Don't get hit by a car! Wear reflective tape or light colors and use glow sticks to stand out at night.
- Plan a route with your child and agree on a time to return home. If possible, accompany them or have them go with a trusted adult or a group of friends. Avoid unfamiliar or isolated areas and only visit well-lit houses.
- Teach your child some basic safety rules, such as looking both ways before crossing the street, staying on sidewalks, not entering strangers’ homes or cars, and saying “no” to anything that makes them uncomfortable.
- Pack some essentials for your child, such as a flashlight, a cell phone, a water bottle, and some snacks. If your child has a food allergy, make sure they carry their medication and an emergency contact card.
After Trick-or-Treating
- Check your child’s Halloween candy before they eat any. Discard any unwrapped, spoiled, or suspicious items. If your child has a food allergy, read the labels carefully and separate any allergens from the rest of the candy.
- Limit the amount of candy your child consumes. Too much sugar can cause stomachaches, cavities, and hyperactivity. You can store the leftover candy in a sealed container and ration it over time.
- Talk to your child about their trick-or-treating experience. Ask them what they liked and disliked, what they learned, and how they felt. Praise them for following the safety rules and being polite to others.
I hope these tips help you and your child have a happy and safe Halloween. Trick-or-treating can be a wonderful opportunity to bond with your child, celebrate their creativity, and enjoy some sweet treats. Have fun and stay safe!
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