Halloween Trick-or-Treat Safety Checklist
It’s finally here! The long awaited, most anticipated candy and costume extravaganza of the year has arrived. The excitement is palpable on Halloween as kids of all ages dress up and hit their neighborhoods for a spooktacular night of all things frightful and fun. Of course parents also enjoy the festive spirit of holiday, but they are oftentimes a bit of weary when it comes to trick-or-treating. Safety weighs heavy on most parents’ minds as children drift from house to house collecting their sweets and there are different pockets of concern at every age. But it doesn’t have to be a scary scenario. Halloween presents a great opportunity to talk to your kids about safety and making good choices when they are away from home.
Our own little trick-or-treaters
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Rules of the Road
Whether you are charged with taking your kids door-to-door or they are venturing out to make the rounds with their friends, the conversation may change but the sentiment remains the same. Be smart and be safe. Keeping a simple checklist of rules and having open communication with your children is just as paramount to having a successful night of trick-or-treating as scoring handfuls of a favorite candy. In addition to being mindful of the guidelines in your particular town (check on curfews), determining what’s appropriate for your kids will ensure that their evening’s adventures will run smoothly and safely.
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Tips
Outfit costumes or trick-or-treat bags with reflective tape so that they can be seen by drivers. If manageable, carrying a flashlight or glow stick is also helpful.
Have your child wear a watch or carry a device so that they can track time and not stay out past their curfew or home base check-in.
Go over an approved route in advance of the big night so that they know their boundaries and you have a sense of where they will be while out and about.
Stay with the group. Make sure they don’t stray from their pack of friends.
Don’t go into stranger’s homes.
Cross with lights and signs at intersections being extra cautious of traffic.
Coordinate with neighborhood friends and identify homes as spots for bathroom breaks or a quick check-in.
Do not eat candy until thoroughly inspected by an adult.
Keep a slip of paper in their trick-or-treat bag with their name, address and phone number in case they get separated.
Make sure mom and dad get at least one piece of their favorite candy!