Halloween Safety Tips for Children
Learn to Safeguard Kids When They're Out Trick or Treating
Aug 19, 2008
Children love going door-to-door, holding out bags, and yelling “trick-or-treat” as loud as they can. But parents need to take into account the safety risks involved with trick or treating. Following these Halloween safety tips will reduce the likelihood of your children getting into dangerous situations.
Never Let Children Trick or Treat Alone
Parents should always accompany kids trick or treating - -no matter how familiar the neighborhood is. If parents aren’t able to take their children trick or treating, they should be escorted by another trusted adult.
Children are a handful -- especially preschoolers and early elementary kids. They get caught up in the excitement of trick or treating, and in their quest to get to the most candy, they won’t hesitate to scatter. So if there will be more than four children in a group, it’s advisable to have more than one responsible adult tag along.
Make Sure Kids Wear Practical Halloween Costumes
High heeled shoes to match a princess costume are certainly adorable, but when children are out trick or treating, they’ll be doing a lot of walking. They need to wear shoes that are comfortable, and won’t hurt their feet.
Costumes that drag on the ground can cause children to trip and fall. This can be a serious danger if kids tumble while they’re crossing the street. If their costumes are too long, take a few minutes to hem them up. Also, Halloween masks can impede kids' ability to see properly -- so they shouldn't be allowed to wear them while they're walking.
Make Sure Kids Can be Seen by Others
No Halloween costume is complete without the addition of reflective tape. This will enable drivers to see kids as they scuttle from door to door hunting for Halloween goodies. Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries to add to the group’s visibility. Take an extra set of flashlight batteries just in case they’re needed.
Keep Children Out of the Direct Line of Traffic
Don’t allow children to cross the street alone or walk in the middle of the road. Try to keep little ones on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk available, children should walk in a single file line on the left side of the road.
Approaching Houses Safely During Halloween
Youngsters should only trick or treat at houses that are well lit. Never let your children approach a door alone, and never allow them to enter inside of someone’s home. If there is a sign on the front door that requests trick or treaters go to the back door -- skip it. Your kids should never go around the back of anyone’s house.
Check Halloween Candy Carefully
Check kids’ candy carefully to make sure it hasn’t been tampered with. And never allow them to eat soft candy, baked goods, or fruit from strangers.
Carry Items for Emergencies
On your kids’ Halloween outing, carry a fully charged cell phone for emergencies. Also, put a couple of individually wrapped antiseptic wipes, and a few bandages in your pocket just in case a boo boo needs to be doctored.
Following these safety tips can help make children’s trick or treat excursions howls of fun.
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