Halloween is a night that many children look forward to. Putting on a fun costume, going trick-or-treating and sorting through all of their candy at the end of all of their fun. As parents we want our children to have fun, but we still worry about their safety. Whether your kids are going trick-or-treating on their own tonight or with you by their side, there are several important safety tips to keep in mind.
1. Wear bright or reflective clothing
A lot of people wear dark Halloween costumes. If your child plans on being a witch or Batman this year, it’s extremely important that you wear some sort of reflective gear so that cars can see you coming. Or have your kids pick a costume that contains bright colors.
2. Carry a flashlight
This way you can see where you’re going and avoid tripping or falling. This also serves as a way to alert others of your presence.
3. Only cross the street at corners
Some cars will have a stop sign at the street corner, which makes it more likely they will notice children. If you’re crossing at a random point, you run the risk of a driver not seeing you and hitting you with their car.
4. Tell your kids to stick to one area
Especially if they’re alone. If they go trick-or-treating with their friends, make sure they only cover a few streets. This way you know where they are in case there is an emergency.
5. Set a strict curfew
Halloween can be a dangerous night, and young kids don’t need to be out late. Older kids come out later and things can get really wild. Plus, they have school in the morning. Some towns even set curfews on Halloween night.
6. Don’t let them eat any candy until they’re home
We’ve all heard the horror stories about tainted candy. If they don’t eat anything until they get home, it allows you to take a look over everything. Make sure that all of the wrappers are intact and nothing’s already open and possibly tampered with. This is also important for children with allergies, especially peanut allergies. They may not realize a certain candy contains nuts or is made in a factory that contains nuts.
I hope you have a happy and safe Halloween! What are your kids dressing up as?
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