Halloween, All Hallow's Eve, Samhein, All Saints Day...whatever you call it, Halloween is that spooky time of year that many kids are waiting in anticipation for as it steadily approaches. Since it is just around the corner, this might be a a good time to consider some great ways to have fun and celebrate the festival of spooks while keeping your kids safe. To help you do that, here are some great Halloween safety tips for the whole family.
Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips:
Trick-or-Treating is a time old tradition dating back to the medieval ages when “souling” was a common practice in which poorer members of the community would troll the town to exchange prayers for the dead for food. William Shakespeare even mentions the practice in one of his comedies, The Two Gentleman of Verona. The idea of threatening to “trick” a home owner if they do not receive a “treat” from their neighbors has become a very popular part of Halloween in the United States and other parts of the world including Ireland, Britain, Canada, and even Mexico.
Unfortunately, it can also be a dangerous time for you and your kids. In 1997 two young children were killed in Arkansas while walking along a highway to go trick-or-treating when a car swerved off of the road and hit them, dragging them for more than 70 feet. In 2008 a South Carolina family approached a house with the porch light on during trick-or-treating on Halloween night and the resident opened fire, shooting off 30 rounds, injuring a 9 year old boy and his father and killing his 12 year old brother. So while Halloween is often thought of as a time of fun, it is important time to make safety a top priority.
Here are a few great ways to help you and your kids stay safe this Halloween while trick-or-treating:
Glow sticks! There are tons of options for glow in the dark bracelets, necklaces, and glow sticks that are a great way to increase invisibility while walking around at night.
Stick to Your Own Neighborhoods: For safety's sake it may be best to only visit houses that you know when taking your kids out for trick-or-treating. While there are thousands of Americans that take part in the time honored tradition, you want to know who is behind that door before you send your child to knock on it, for their sake, and out of respect for residents who may not be participating in the night's festivities.
Inspect the Goodies: Be sure to inspect the haul that your kids take in before letting them dive in. This will insure that the food they consume is safe from tampering and that there are not any potential complications with food allergies. You should also be sure to never accept home made or unwrapped treats from people that you do not know well.
Head to the Mall: Many communities now host trick-or-treating and family friendly Halloween events at the local mall, school, or other location where you can take the little ones for some spooky fun and let them collect their treats in a safe and secure environment.
Do not walk around busy streets. Remember that your kids are not the only ones celebrating the night, and should an intoxicated or distracted driver head your way you will not have time to react until it is too late, so keep your kids in the car as you go from one house to another and do not walk along highways or busy intersections.
Costume Tips:
When you dress up your little ghouls and goblins be sure that they are wearing clothing that is easy for the to move around in that will not restrict their ability to walk safely. Also check that they do not have a lot of loosely hanging fabrics or accessories that could get caught in a car door or trip them up.
Check the safety of costume make-up. If your child tends to have sensitive skin or allergies be sure to double check the make-up that you may be using for your child's costume or seeking traditional cosmetic alternatives such as eyeliners and eyeshadows that can give similar effects if you have trouble finding hypoallergenic costume paint.
Be sure that your child is wearing something that will be easily visible if they are walking around at night.
Remember these simple ideas and be extra vigilant about safety this coming Halloween night and you and your kids are sure to have a happy and safe time.
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