Safe Trick-or-Treat Tips
Times are not as they used to be. The streets are not safer and there are predators out there who take advantage of what should be a safe and fun evening to do harm to others. Following a few safety tips will ensure all of you will be able to speak happily about your adventure the next day.
If you talk to your children before they go out, and cover as much as possible about safety, they should return happy children with bags of goodies for all of you to enjoy.
- If your children are going trick-or-treating, keep someone at home to give out treats.You should not expect to receive treats if you don’t also give some out.
- Make sure costumes are not too long that they can trip over them. If they are wearing masks, make sure they can see through it.
- Costumes should be made of fire retardant material. Remind them ahead of time of Stop-Drop & Roll, and that they should NEVER run if they are on fire, it only make the fire worse.
- Any props , like swords and knives, should not have sharp edges that can do harm if they were to fall.
- Have them carry a flashlight , glow stick or reflective tape so cars can see them.Tell them to stay on the sidewalk or grass, and not walk in the street.
- Younger children should never go out trick-or-treating without a responsible adult. For a group of children you may need more than once adult. Everyone should stay together at all times. For older children, they should not go alone and carry a cell phone in case of emergency.
- Older trick-or-treaters should stay in lighted areas, not take alleys or back roads,and only go to safe neighborhoods where there are other trick-or-treaters. Make them give you the route they will be taking, as a precaution.
- Give older children a curfew and have them check in with you often. Make sure they are aware that Halloween pranks are not always funny and could be considered vandalism. Even things like throwing eggs can cause a lot of damage and could get them arrested.
- Sit down with them and review situations they may encounter so they know what to do, and instruct them to NEVER go inside a house!
- Tell them they are not to get into a car, even with someone they know, without first talking to you, and NEVER get too close to a car so they can be pulled in. Tell them to run in the opposite direction the car is going, NOT to run into an alley to get away if they are being followed, and yell as loud as they can until they find an adult.
- Cross only at corners and crosswalks. A child darting across the street could get hit, and even the most careful driver may not be able to avoid an accident.
- Keep track of the time and trick-or-treat only at the posted times in your area
- Feed everyone before they go out. It avoids the temptation to much on goodies. Make sure your children understand they can’t eat any treats before they are brought home to be examined (and you can pick out the best stuff for yourself).
If you talk to your children before they go out, and cover as much as possible about safety, they should return happy children with bags of goodies for all of you to enjoy.
Posted by Toni Lawrence at 10/28/2011 8:28 AM 
Categories: Halloween - Party/Costumes/Ideas/Safety, Seasonal Events/Themes
Tags: trick-or-treat Halloween Halloween safety
Categories: Halloween - Party/Costumes/Ideas/Safety, Seasonal Events/Themes
Tags: trick-or-treat Halloween Halloween safety
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