How to Keep Your Kids Safe During Halloween
Parenting
Audio By Carbonatix
11:15 AM on Monday, October 20
By Carrie Lowrance, Parenting
Fall is here, and soon it will be Halloween. We live in an uncertain world where bad things happen, and Halloween is no exception. If your children are going to take part in trick-or-treating or other events and activities this season, here are some ways to keep them safe.
Pumpkin Carving
1. Decorate a Pumpkin with Stickers
If your kids are little, let them draw a face on their pumpkin. You can buy pumpkin sticker kits in stores.
2. Don’t Carve the Pumpkin
If your kids are older but still not old enough to use a carving kit yet, let them draw the face they want so you can carve it.
3. Carve with Supervision
If your kids are old enough to carve, make sure they know you have to be there to supervise and not to try to do it themselves.
4. Keep Candles Out of Pumpkins
Traditionally, a candle is used to light up a jack-o’-lantern, but this isn’t safe. Instead, use battery-operated candles or glow sticks.
Halloween Decorations
5. Watch Windows and Security Cameras
Even though decorating for Halloween can be fun, you want to make sure your windows and security cameras don’t get blocked.
6. Tripping Hazards
Watch for tripping hazards. You don’t want your family members or others getting caught and having an accident.
7. Pet Hazards
Be aware of decorations your pet may chew and swallow or get tangled up in when you aren’t home.
8. Check Your Lights
Look and make sure there are no frayed wires or broken sockets.
Trick or Treating: Planning for the Big Night
Kids are excited to decide what they want to be for Halloween and about all the candy they will get at both school parties and trick-or-treating. However, talking to them about safety and making plans is important. Here are some tips for planning for the big night.
9. Check Their Costumes
Make sure there is nothing they can trip over and that they can see clearly through their mask. Check for loose accessories like wings, dress trains, etc. You may even want to take them for a walk around the block to make sure they can move freely in their costumes. You will also want to make sure they are flame-resistant.
10. Add Reflective Tape
Side streets can be dark at night and hard for drivers to see due to low or no lighting. Dark costumes make it difficult for drivers to see kids at night. Add some reflective tape to the front and back of their costumes and headpieces to make them easier to spot.
11. Stranger Danger
Talk to them about stranger danger and how they shouldn’t talk to people they don’t know. Also, if someone approaches them, they should run and get away. This also applies to anyone asking them to go into their house to get candy.
12. No Eating Candy Until They Get Home
Over the years, there have been all kinds of scares with foreign objects put in Halloween candy. Reiterate to your children that they are forbidden to eat any candy until they get home.
13. Plan Out a Route
Sit down with your kids and plan the route they will take for trick or treating. This way, if anything happens, you will know what house they were last at or what houses they were in between when the incident occurred.
14. Watch for Cars
Kids get excited about going from house to house and don’t think to watch for cars. Remind them to look both ways before crossing the street on Halloween, as they would any other day of the year.
Halloween Night
13. Accompany Children
Children, especially small children and minors, should not be out trick or treating alone. As for teenagers, use your discretion.
14. Only Visit Your Neighborhood
Make sure kids know to stay only in your neighborhood and where it is well-lit. It may be a good idea to send them with flashlights or glow sticks.
Also, remind your kids to walk and not run between houses and stay on the same side of the street. Zigging and zagging back and forth across the street could lead to them getting hit by a car. Crossing the street at a crosswalk is best, and look both ways.
15. Teach Them to Stay with Their Group
These days, numbers are best, so teach your kids to stay with their group of friends and not wander off. You may even want to put the same color of reflective tape on each one in the group so you can account for everyone.
Another suggestion (if you are going with them) is to line them up at each house, call each child’s name, and have them answer before going to the door. Then, have them line up upon moving on to the next house, call each child’s name, and have them answer again. Do this at each house you visit. This may sound monotonous, but it will help you keep track of everyone. This is how we did things when going outside and coming back in when I worked in daycare.
16. Be Aware of Teal Pumpkins
Explain to your children what allergies are and that some kids have food allergies. For example, Josh may love Reese’s peanut butter cups, but Aurora can’t eat them because they will make her sick.
Then, show them the color teal and explain that if they see a teal pumpkin outside a house, this means this special house gives out treats to kids with allergies and that they may want to skip this house so other kids can have fun at Halloween, too.
17. Charged Cell Phones
If your kids are old enough and are taking their cell phones with them, make sure they are fully charged and ready to go.
18. Check-Ins
If your child has a cell phone, ask them to check in with you every three houses. Better yet, print out the map you made, highlight the houses where you want them to check in, and send it with them.
19. Remind Them about Stranger Danger
I know I mentioned this above, but it wouldn’t hurt to sit them down before they go out for the big night.
20. Have Emergency Contacts on Hand
If you are going out with your child and a group of friends, make sure you have all parents' numbers in your phone and the police. This way, you will be prepared for an emergency.
21. Only Go to Lit Houses
Explain to your children that houses that want trick-or-treaters will have their porch lights on and to never approach a house without the porch light on.
22. Make Plans for Bad Weather
If you are going to experience bad weather on Halloween, plan and have a virtual party with your kids, friends, or family.
24. Start Early
If possible, as soon as trick or treating starts in your neighborhood, go out and get it done. This way, you won’t be out super late.
25. Make Sure You Lock Your Doors
It’s easy to get distracted by the hustle and bustle of the night, but make sure you lock your doors and set your security alarm upon leaving your residence. Also, make sure you put away valuables so they aren’t temptations for criminals. While you’re out, check the app for your security camera to monitor for suspicious activity outside your home. This will help ensure everyone comes home to a safe and sound residence.
Driving on Halloween
25. Slow Down
Kids are out in droves that night and aren’t paying attention to anything but getting to that next house for candy. It’s your responsibility to slow down and watch carefully for pedestrians. It’s also a prime night for family pets to get out, so keep an eye out for animals on the road. This is especially true if it’s raining or there is inclement weather.
26. Check Your Headlights
This would be a good time to check your headlights or even replace them with brighter bulbs if needed. A good cleaning may also be in order to ensure you have the best vision at night.
27. Eliminate Distractions
Ensure you put your phone in “do not disturb” or “driving” mode. Turn down the music. Don’t text and drive. You should always have your full attention on the road, especially on Halloween.
Many things can go wrong on Halloween, but by following these tips and staying safe, you are bound to have a fantastic night.
Carrie Lowrance is a freelance writer and author. She has had her work featured on Crosswalk, iBelieve, Huffington Post, and the Penny Hoarder. She is also the author of three children’s books, three clean romance books, one romance novella, three books of poetry, and one non-fiction book. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and baking, reading, and hanging out with her husband, and sweet cat, Cupcake. You can find out more about Carrie and her writing at www.carrielowrance.com.
