Trick-or-Treating happens only once a year and is one of the most exciting times for young children to dress up and be creative. Parents should always encourage the fun as well as strive for the safety of their children on Halloween.
- Plan your route in advance. You should always check the streets your children will be walking in advance to make sure there is enough lighting. If not, they should bring along a flashlight. Strive to walk on a lit path in a familiar neighborhood.
- Be aware of any obstacles along the path such as broken sidewalks, no sidewalks, construction, that could trip up your trick-or-treater.
- Make sure your trick-or-treater is wearing well-fit shoes. Many costumes come with shoes that aren’t sturdy walking shoes; tennis shoes will be more comfortable for your trick-or-treater to walk in and will prevent tripping or falling. Save the other shoes for costume parties and not when a child is going to trick-or-treat.
- Make sure your trick-or-treater is walking, not running, and not cutting across lawns or driveway. This will prevent injuries and falls by obstacles that could exist that aren’t visible in the evening.
- Adults should remember to prepare for trick-or-treaters by clearing off front porches, lawns and sidewalks.
- Place jack-o-lanterns away from doorways and landings.
Remember that this is supposed to be a fun time of year, and if everyone takes certain precautions, all can have a safe and fun holiday!
Some other important tips:
• Avoid costumes with excessive flowing fabric, such as capes. Costumes should fit properly. If wearing masks, be certain it fits securely and the eyeholes are large enough for full vision.
• Accessorize with flexible props, such as rubber swords or knives.
• Always supervise children under age 13. Older children should trick-or-treat in a group, and a curfew ought to be established. Have each child carry a cell phone or some loose change in case he or she needs to call home.
• Children should only go to well-lit houses.
• Make sure children understand not to cross between parked cars and to always look both ways. Teach children to cross the street at crosswalks or intersections.
• Remind children not to eat any treats before their parents have a chance to examine them.