Halloween and trick-or-treat safety for children

Trick-or-treating is a fun and popular way to celebrate Halloween. It is important to keep everyone safe as well.

Attach emergency contact information to each child (on costume or coat) – name, cell phone, home phone, address
Carving pumpkins – let children help design the jack o-lanterns, but leave the knives to adults. Let the children use paint and craft supplies to decorate pumpkins instead.
Cell phones – if children have cell phones, make sure they are fully charged before heading out for the evening, and that they have a pocket or somewhere safe to keep the phone
Discuss what type of behavior is appropriate
Flame resistant – shop for costumes, accessories, hats and wigs that are labeled flame resistant
Flashlights – have a flashlight for each family member (children and adults), put new batteries in each
Have a healthy meal before trick-or-treating or parties – so that children don’t just fill up on candy
Make sure costumes are safe – bright, reflective, short enough to prevent tripping, shoes that are comfortable & fit well, and a costume that is weather appropriate.
Masks can limit eyesight, and can make others unsure of whom you are – consider using makeup and hats instead
Review 911 procedures with children.
Teach children what to do if their clothes catch on fire – “stop, drop, roll”
Trick-or-treat bags – add reflective tape for visibility
Weapons – even toy weapons can appear or actually be dangerous. If using costume/toy knives, guns or swords, make sure they do not look real, and are soft.

While trick-or-treating:

Always stay on the sidewalk
Always walk, do not run
Check out treats before consuming. Discard of anything that is unwrapped, torn wrapper, suspicious or spoiled
Children should be accompanied by an adult while trick-or-treating
Cross streets at established cross walks
Do not cut across yards, stay on sidewalks and walkways
Do not eat treats until you get home and an adult has checked everything out
Do not eat unwrapped food, candy or beverages
Make sure items that can cause choking are kept from young children
Never enter a stranger’s home or car
Obey traffic and pedestrian laws
Only stop at homes that have a porch light on
Only visit streets that are well-lit
Pay attention to and suspicious people or activity
Pay attention to cars
Remove masks
Stay in a group, walk slowly, stay together
Stay on foot for trick-or-treating. Do not use rollerblades, skateboards or bicycles. It is dark and busy on Halloween night.
Trick-or-treat in safe, well known neighborhoods, ones that you are familiar with.
Use a flashlight while trick-or-treating, so you can be seen by others

Trick-or-treating is not the only way to celebrate Halloween. For more ideas, check out this list:

http://www.myplanninglists.com/halloween-ideas-to-celebrate.php

Tips for keeping your own home safe for trick-or-treaters that visit:

http://www.myplanninglists.com/halloween-safety-at-your-home--neighborhood.php

LIST CATEGORIES