Halloween Safety Guide

When asked what their favorite holiday is, most kids are either going to say Christmas or Halloween. Halloween is one of the most fun times of the year, when kids get to dress up however they want, go beg for candy, and generally have a good time.

But accidents can always happen. Aside from every parent’s fear of contaminated candy—and this fear is usually not warranted, by the way; as long as your candy is wrapped it should be okay—there are plenty of dangers on Halloween night. From car accidents to missing kids, a night of fun can quickly become a nightmare if you’re not prepared. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to keep your Halloween a night of fun—and safety.

• Don’t ever let kids trick-or-treat alone. Always go with them.
• Pick safe costumes. No matter how much fun long superhero capes or witch dresses are, they are liable to get caught on something and cause an accident. The same goes for masks that can obstruct vision. If your children really want these costumes and you are okay with them, buy them but reserve them for home use, such as during dress-up or a Halloween party that won’t involve a lot of walking or leaving home.
• Only go to houses of neighbors and friends that you know.
• Look over your child’s treats before allowing him or her to eat them. Even with a low risk, the risk is still there.
• Carry a flashlight or glow stick, and use reflective tape on the back of costumes so cars see them walking.
• Review basic safety tips—never go into the car or home of a stranger, don’t talk to strangers period, scream if a stranger tries to grab you, etc.
• If you have older kids planning to go with a group of friends, know where they are at all times. Let them use your cell phone if they don’t have one of their own, and plan a safe route for them to take. Also set a curfew for the night so you know exactly when they will be home.
• Say not to shortcuts. Tell kids no back alleys, no fields, no graveyards even—unless you’re with them! These are dangerous places at any time of year. Stay in areas that are well lit.

For a fun Halloween Safety Quiz, click here.