Keep the Kids Safe This Halloween

Halloween is a magical time of year that creates great childhood memories that last a lifetime. But it is also an opportunity for disaster if you’re not careful. Follow these simple steps to make sure the holiday is safe and fun for the whole family.

One of the best ways to guarantee a safe Halloween is by planning activities you can enjoy with your little ones. Many cities organize Halloween festivals with activities for the whole family, including trunk-or-treating or trick-or-treating at local shops so kids can still experience the joy of going “door to door” collecting candy. These events often include costume contests, music, games and food, making it a night full of festivities everyone can join in on. Kids can dress up in their favorite costumes and get their fill of candy while mom and dad can enjoy food, family time and knowing their kids are safe and supervised.

If your kids will be out trick or treating without you make sure they are going with a group you are familiar and comfortable with and that you know what route they plan to take. Make sure they leave the house with a fully charged phone so they can make emergency calls if necessary but don’t forget to remind them to only use those phones for emergencies. Not only will that preserve the battery but it will keep them from being distracted from texting while walking.

Be mindful when planning your kids’ costumes. While they may have awesome costume ideas, be aware of how easy they will be to maneuver in. Over-the-top costumes are great for contests at school and parties, but they may make trick-or-treating in the dark difficult and potentially dangerous. Instead steer them toward costumes that have breathability, are suitable for the elements and won’t intrude on their ability to move around safely. Glow in the dark material and adhesive strips can also add an element of safety to any costume to make sure your kids stand out in the dark.

Before your kids head out for their Halloween adventures go over some safety tips with them. Remind them of basic road rules like only crossing at intersections and looking both ways before crossing the street, as well as common sense tips like avoiding unlit areas and straying from the group. While Halloween is a time for kids to have fun, it’s also an opportunity for accidents to happen and for predators to take advantage of kids busy having fun; make sure your kids know the importance of balancing fun with safety.